"I knew that it could only be
some one from your bureau, and I hoped that it was you. I saw how you
forced him to call us up here, and that was all you needed. It was
simple, of course, to trace the telephone call." Both of her hands
closed over one of his desperately. "Now, go, please. The Latin compact
is at an end; you merely invite death here. Now, go!"

Her eyes were searching the listless face with entreaty in them; the
slender fingers were fiercely gripping one of Mr. Grimm's nerveless
hands. For an instant some strange, softening light flickered in the
young man's eyes, then it passed.

"I have no choice, Miss Thorne," he said gravely at last. "I am honor
bound by my government to do one of two things. If I fail in the first
of those--the greater--it can only be because--"

He stopped; hope flamed up in her eyes and she leaned forward eagerly
studying the impassive face.

"Because--?" she repeated.

"It can only be because I am killed," he added quietly. Suddenly his
whole manner changed. "I should like to see the--the inventor?"

"But don't you see--don't you see you _will_ be killed if--?" she began
tensely.

"May I see the inventor, please?" Mr. Grimm interrupted.

For a little time she stood, white and rigid, staring at him. Then her
lids fluttered down wearily, as if to veil some crushing agony within
her, and she stepped aside. Mr. Grimm entered and the door closed
noiselessly behind him. After a moment her hand rested lightly on his
arm, and he was led into a room to his left. This door, too, she closed,
immediately turning to face him.

"We may talk here a few minutes without interruption," she said in a low
tone. Her voice was quite calm now. "If you will be--?"

"Please understand, Miss Thorne," he interposed mercilessly, "that I
must see the inventor, whoever he is. What assurance have I that this
is not some ruse to permit him to escape?"

"You have my word of honor," she said quite simply.

"Please go on." He sat down.

"You will see him too soon, I fear," she continued slowly. "If you had
not come to him he would have gone to you." She swayed a little and
pressed one hand to her eyes. "I would to God it were in my power to
prevent that meeting!" she exclaimed desperately. Then, with an effort:
"There are some things I want to explain to you. It may be that you will
be willing to go then of your own free will. If I lay bare to you every
step I have taken since I have been in Washingt