The Strange Adventures of Bromley Barnes

Book Excerpt: ... Senator Hance consulted his watch."Come on, Brewster," he said, "it's Friday morning.""When was the treaty to be signed?" asked Barnes of the Secretary."At ten o'clock Saturday morning."The detective made a hasty calculation."That's thirty-four hours from now. You may go ahead with the business, and I'll undertake to recover your thirteenth copy of the treaty before that time.""And before any outsider has a chance to see it.""Well, I'll do the best I can, and meanwhile it's understood that I'm to have the use of any of the Secret Service men I need?""Certainly. You understand why I do not want to use the ordinary facilities of the Government. The President does not know of this yet. I don't want to trouble him if I can help it. He has worries enough."Five minutes later the Secretary and the Senator were seated in the plum-colored car, speeding down the asphalted incline, and Barnes and Clancy stood facing one another in the cozy apartment...