pe, which he
handed to the Minister, who cut it open and read the message. The
ivory knife snapped in the tense grip; His Excellency looked idly at
the pieces, but never a line of his face moved.

"Matters are a trifle more complicated, Wratslav. We must think
again." He handed the telegram to his assistant. It read:

"A British subject presents his compliments to Your Excellency, and
begs to assure you that the statement which he has written and sent
under seal to the British Ambassador in Washington will not be opened
or its contents made known to anyone except in the event of the sudden
demise of Baron Griffin or James Saunders."

Wratslav returned the message to His Excellency and sat waiting. The
slow thrumming was resumed. Then the Minister turned back to his desk,
and his hand strayed to the papers on it.

"We may, perhaps, need both you and Ivan here in Washington for some
time yet, Wratslav."

"Yes, Excellency."

The silence lasted a full minute.

"About the lady, Wratslav--" the Minister almost smiled; "it would be a
great honor were she to visit the Ministry soon."

"Would she come, Excellency?"

The question was ignored.

"A very fast automobile could be used. It could be made quite
comfortable, I think."

"If she made no outcry, Excellency. There is that danger--and of
gossip also."

"That, too, might be arranged."

"But if she proves--"

"She will not--not if I announce, after receiving your telegram, that
her arrival is momentarily expected--traveling incognito, you see--no
fuss or receptions--but a short visit before sailing back to Europe.
Over there it has been given out that she is traveling, so they know
nothing outside the court. The King is anxious." There was another
flashing look from the keen eyes before the slow, "He rewards well,"
spoken with meaning emphasis.

Wratslav answered the look. "I will try, Excellency."

"To try is not sufficient, Wratslav."

"I will do it, Excellency."

"That is better."

So it came to pass that the dapper young man called Wratslav, and the
rough one called Ivan, left next day in a fast automobile whose
limousine body seemed especially built to interfere as little as
possible with its speed. Why it was kept constantly stored with
provisions, and why it carried ropes and a tent of silk, no one of the
workers in the camp knew; for none of them ever saw those things--or
indeed ever saw the interior of the car at all.