"Unfortunately," said the count, "the ambassador who took the packet
in charge is dead. I am afraid we shall have difficulty."

"But he must have had some secretary," said Lord Colambre: "who was
his secretary?--we can apply to him."

"His secretary is now charge d'affaires in Vienna--we cannot get at
him."

"Into whose hands have that ambassador's papers fallen--who is his
executor?" said Lord Colambre.

"His executor!--now you have it," cried the count. "His executor is
the very man who will do your business--your friend Sir James Brooke
is the executor. All papers, of course, are in his hands; or he can
have access to any that are in the hands of the family. The family
seat is within a few miles of Sir James Brooke's, in Huntingdonshire,
where, as I told you before, he now is."

"I'll go to him immediately--set out in the mail this night. Just in
time!" cried Lord Colambre, pulling out his watch with one hand, and
ringing the bell with the other.

"Run and take a place for me in the mail for Huntingdon. Go directly,"
said Lord Colambre to the servant.

"And take two places, if you please, sir," said the count. "My lord, I
will accompany you."

But this Lord Colambre would not permit, as it would be unnecessary