"I know my business, Herr Sacovitch, as well as you know yours. I can
serve your turn and I can serve my own. Give me what I ask, and you may
have the Count Rossano. But if you think that in betraying the man who
has usurped my place I betray my cause, you are very much mistaken. So
long as Count Rossano is at liberty, it is not worth your while to trap
so inconsiderable a person as myself. When once he is in your hands I
shall be a great deal too wise to give you the chance of seizing me.
When I fight, I shall fight openly--against Austria," he added, with a
laugh.

"Miss Rossano," said Sacovitch, "drew the forty thousand pounds
yesterday, and it now lies in the hands of Lady Rollinson. You will go
to Southampton by the first train in the morning, accompanied by the
Baroness Bonnar, who will introduce you to her English ladyship. Lady
Rollinson is in direct communication with the Count Rossano, and will be
able to give you a meeting-place at which you will hand over the money
to the count. Mr. Brunow and the baroness will accompany you, and will
undertake to see that the money is delivered. Any one of you may act as
intermediaries between the Count Rossano and the forces on shore; but it
must be definitely understood that the count is, under no circumstances,
to be allowed to land until our own side is ready."

"That is clear enough," answered Roncivalli.

"Let me be clearer still,"-said Sacovitch, turning upon him with a
menacing look. "In a case like this, many things have to be provided
for. It is quite possible that it may seem worth your while to play for
forty thousand pounds."

"Not at all," said Roncivalli, tranquilly.

"It is assuredly not worth your while," the Austrian returned. "This
enterprise is in my hands, and it has never been my practice to leave
any of my agents unwatched. I shall not tell you who will watch you,
or who in turn will watch him; but it will save possible trouble if you
should understand that from the moment at which you leave, until the
Count Rossano is in our hands, you will be under my observation and
control as definitely as you are at this moment."

"All this," replied Roncivalli, "is a waste of words. I have undertaken
this piece of work for my own purpose, and for my own purpose I shall
carry it through. When the work is done I shall go my own way, as I have
always told you. I am to have the pleasure of your society, madame," he
continued, turning to the baroness. "That is