hat do you say?" she asked. "It is not yet too late to find some one
at the war office to do your bidding. Indeed, the hour is well suited
for a confidential mission of that sort. And when you come back, if you
find me asleep, just whisper in my ear, 'News from Transylvania!'--and I
will wake up at once. So good-bye for the present. I shall expect you
back again soon."

Prince Cagliari took leave of the enchantress and made his way to the
carriage that awaited him below. Entering it, he gave a direction to his
coachman, and the carriage rolled rapidly down the street.

Soon after the fair Cyrene--or Rozina, to call her by her real
name--found herself alone, the tall clock in her boudoir struck ten,
although the hour was nearer two. She rose at once, and taking a little
key from her bosom, unlocked and opened the door of the old-fashioned
timepiece. But instead of hanging weights and a swinging pendulum, the
opening revealed another open door beyond, through which stepped a
young man,--Benjamin Vajdar.

"So you've come at last?" the marchioness exclaimed.

"Yes, and I have the key to the cipher despatches, too!"

All smiles and caresses, the siren led her visitor to the table on which
lay the mysterious correspondence. But before the two begin their
clandestine work, let us say a few words concerning the relations
between them.

Months before, at a court ball to which Prince Cagliari's influence had
procured the Marchioness Caldariva a much-coveted invitation, Benjamin
Vajdar, who then occupied a subordinate government position, was also
present. Struck with the beauty of the marchioness, he sought an
introduction, and, to make a long story short, was soon enrolled among
her willing slaves. Not long after this first meeting he threw up his
modest position and became Prince Cagliari's private secretary. A day
had already been set for his marriage with Anna Adorjan, but he had the
hardihood to write and beg to be released from the engagement. He did
not, however, think it necessary to announce in his letter that he had
changed his religion and turned Roman Catholic.

A desire to shine in society, meanwhile, and the difficulty of doing so
on a small salary, had led him to employ dishonest and criminal means
for replenishing his purse. He had raised money on his friend Manasseh's
forged signature. After entering the prince's service and finding
himself amply supplied with means, he went to his broker to redeem the
fa