he opening into the empty house. The Duke looked
at the fireplace, and his teeth bared in an expression of cold
ferocity. He rose with clenched fists, and took a step towards the
fireplace.

"Your Grace? Your Grace?" called the voice of Guerchard.

"What is it?" answered the Duke quietly.

"I can't see any handkerchief," said Guerchard. "Didn't you say it was
in the left-hand corner of the little room on the right?"

"I told you you'd better let me come with you, and find it," said the
Duke, in a tone of triumph. "It's in the right-hand corner of the
little room on the left."

"I could have sworn you said the little room on the right," said
Guerchard.

They heard his footfalls die away.

"Now, you must get out of the house quickly." said the Duke. "Show this
card to the detectives at the door, and they'll pass you without a
word."

He pressed the card into her hand.

"But--but--this card?" stammered Sonia.

"There's no time to lose," said the Duke.

"But this is madness," said Sonia. "When Guerchard finds out about this
card--that you--you--"

"There's no need to bother about that," interrupted the Duke quickly.
"Where are you going to?"

"A little hotel near the Star. I've forgotten the name of it," said
Sonia. "But this card--"

"Has it a telephone?" said the Duke.

"Yes--No. 555, Central," said Sonia.

"If I haven't telephoned to you before half-past eight to-morrow
morning, come straight to my house," said the Duke, scribbling the
telephone number on his shirt-cuff.

"Yes, yes," said Sonia. "But this card.... When Guerchard knows ...
when he discovers.... Oh, I can't let you get into trouble for me."

"I shan't. But go--go," said the Duke, and he slipped his right arm
round her and drew her to the door.

"Oh, how good you are to me," said Sonia softly.

The Duke's other arm went round her; he drew her to him, and their lips
met.

He loosed her, and opened the door, saying loudly: "You're sure you
won't have a cab, Mademoiselle Kritchnoff?"

"No; no, thank you, your Grace. Goodnight," said Sonia. And she went
through the door with a transfigured face.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE DUKE STAYS

The Duke shut the door and leant against it, listening anxiously,
breathing quickly. There came the bang of the front door. With a deep
sigh of relief he left the door, came briskly, smiling, across the
room, and put the card-case back into the pocket of Guerchard's cloak.
He lighted a cigarette