with the work which has been allotted to you. Your earlier
mistakes will be forgiven if that chart is in my hands by Friday."

"But how do you know that he will have it?" Lessingham protested.
"Supposing you are right and he is really responsible for the minefields
you speak of, I should think the last thing he would do would be to
bring the chart back to Dreymarsh."

"As a matter of fact, that is precisely what he will do," Hayter assured
his listener. "He is bringing it back for the inspection of one of the
commissioners for the east coast defense, who is to meet him at his
house. And I wish to warn you, too, Maderstrom, that you will have very
little time. For some reason or other, Cranston is dissatisfied with the
secrecy under which he has been compelled to work, and has applied
to the Admiralty for recognition of his position. Immediately this is
given, I gather that his house will be inaccessible to you."

Lessingham sat, his arms folded, his eyes fixed upon the fire. His
thoughts were in a turmoil, yet one thing was hatefully clear. Cranston
was not the unworthy slacker he had believed him to be. Philippa's whole
point of view might well be changed by this discovery--especially now
that Cranston had made up his mind to assert himself for his wife's
sake. There was an icy fear in his heart.

"You understand," Hayter persisted coldly, "what it is you have to do?"

"Perfectly. I shall return by the afternoon train," was the despairing
reply.

"If you succeed," Hayter continued, "I shall see that you get the usual
acknowledgment, but I will, if you wish it, ask for your transfer to
another branch of the service. I am not questioning your patriotism or
your honour, Maderstrom, but you are not the man for this work."

"You are right," Lessingham said. "I am not."

"It is not my affair," Hayter proceeded, "to enquire too closely into
the means used by our agents in carrying out our designs. That I find
you in London in company with the wife of the man whom you are appointed
to watch, may be a fact capable of the most complete and satisfactory
explanation. I ask no questions. I only remind you that your country,
even though it be only your adopted country, demands from you, as from
all others in her service, unswerving loyalty, a loyalty uninfluenced by
the claims of personal sentiment, duty, or honour. Have I said enough?"

"You have said as much as it is wise for you to say," Lessingham
replied, his voice tr