13651 'Well, since you never said so, and Mr. Phelps never said so, and nobody else knew anything of the matter, then the thief's presence in the room was purely accidental.
13652 He saw his chance and he took it.'
13653 The statesman smiled.
13654 'You take me out of my province there,' said he.
13655 Holmes considered for a moment.
13656 'There is another very important point which I wish to discuss with you,' said he.
13657 'You feared, as I understand, that very grave results might follow from the details of this treaty becoming known?'
13658 A shadow passed over the expressive face of the statesman.
13659 'Very grave results, indeed.'
13660 'And have they occurred?'
13661 'Not yet.'
13662 'If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French or Russian Foreign Office, you would expect to hear of it?'