eorge Duncombe would guard it
carefully?"

"I am sure he would," she answered.

"Mademoiselle," he said, "this is very important. Your brother's luggage
has been searched, and we came to the conclusion that the paper had been
taken by those who had followed him here, and may possibly have been
aware that he had it. If we can get possession of it, it will be very
much to the advantage of your country and mine. I scarcely dare say
more. Will you give me a letter to Sir George instructing him to deliver
it up to me?"

She leaned a little forward and looked steadily into his eyes.

"Monsieur le Vicomte," she said, "I do not know you very well, and it is
very hard indeed for me to tell who are my friends here. Can I trust
you?"

"Mademoiselle," he answered, "I will not say 'like your brother,' for it
is a relationship I have no wish to bear. Let me say like the person to
whom your welfare is dearer even than his own."

Phyllis felt her lips curve into a smile. Despite his youth and manner,
which seemed to her a little affected, there was nevertheless undoubted
earnestness in the admiration which he took no pains to conceal.

"Very well, Monsieur le Vicomte," she said, "I will give you the
letter."

CHAPTER VI

THE BLUNDERING OF ANDREW

They came face to face in the hall of the Grand Hotel. Duncombe had just
returned from his call upon the Marquise. Andrew was leaning upon the
arm of a dark, smooth-shaven man, and had apparently just descended from
the lift. At the sound of Duncombe's little exclamation they both
stopped short. Andrew turned his heavily spectacled eyes in Duncombe's
direction, but it was obvious that he saw nothing.

"You here, Andrew!"

"Yes! Why not?"

The tone was curt, almost discourteous. Duncombe understood at once.

"Let us sit down somewhere, and talk for a few minutes," he said. "I did
not expect you. You should have let me know that you were coming."

Andrew laughed a little bitterly.

"I scarcely see why," he said. "To tell you the truth, I see no
advantage to either of us in any intercourse."

Duncombe took him by the arm and led him towards the smoking-room.

"Andrew," he said, "perhaps I have behaved badly--at least from your
point of view, but remember that I warned you. Let us sit down here. Who
is your friend?"

"Never mind," Andrew answered. "You can say what you have to before him.
He is in my confidence."

Duncombe glanced around. The man had taken the ch