"You two have been working your own plans while I have been working mine. When you had finished your little secret conference, I went to St. Patrick's and said Mass. When I returned to the hotel, Mark didn't seem to appreciate my company, so I left rather early. Before going to Brookland, I called at the State Department. Happily, I know someone quite high up, so I had no trouble. I told him the whole story, and he promised to help me. A few hours ago he sent for me again and--" the priest smiled at his hearers' evident anxiety to hear the details--"and everything will be all right now. We are to see the Minister as soon as he returns from the banquet. He will probably be back by one o'clock, and he will listen--and listen well--to what I have to say. The guard will be off before we leave, and Ruth will be at the hotel before noon."
"But, Father," said Mark, "how can you do it? The State Department cannot get into this thing officially--cannot interfere at all. It is too delicate. To-morrow morning Ruth will be on her way to the seacoast, as sure as fate. She will be kept hidden there until that warship comes."
"The warship will not come," answered Father Murray. "His Majesty's warships will be engaged very busily for some time to come. My information--information which so far has not leaked out to the public--is that the Big Kingdom is on the verge of war. There will be no warship flying that flag on this side of the water for a long time."
"War!" said Saunders. "But how does that help us?"
Before Father Murray could reply, an automobile passed swiftly.
"That is the Minister," remarked Saunders.
The priest looked up. "We must hurry. Leave everything to me."
Walking hastily, the trio approached the Minister, who had stopped at the curb to give some order to his chauffeur. The ladies of the party had already entered the house, accompanied by the secretary.
It was Father Murray who spoke.
"Pardon us, Your Excellency, for intruding on you at this hour, but it is necessary that we should speak to you at once. With your permission, we will go inside."
The Minister looked disturbed.
"Surely you know the hopelessness of it? I must warn you that you can secure nothing through violence. My guard would not hesitate to take forcible measures."
"There is no need to worry about that, Your Excellency," replied the priest. "No need at all. We shall not resort to violence. It will not be necessary. But the matter is important, and we must speak to you at once."