. Herr
Renwick's connection with the British Embassy has terminated. He has
merely the status in Austria of a traveling Englishman. But his
activities are dangerous where they concern the movements of the
Countess Strahni. I am performing an act of friendship to a loyal
Austrian in offering her escort back to Vienna, where if she is wise she
will remain quietly under my surveillance."

During this speech, of which Herr Windt delivered himself with much
bowing and rubbing of his hands, Marishka remained silent, a wonder
growing in her eyes.

"I fail to see how my presence here or elsewhere can interest you or
others," she said as she sank upon the cot. Weariness was telling on her
and the disappointment of her mission's failure. And the threat of
danger that hung in his words was hardly reassuring.

"Countess Strahni may doubt my good intentions. That is her privilege.
In a short time"--here he looked at his watch again--"she will be at
liberty to come and go as she chooses. In the meanwhile I beg that she
will listen to me and heed my warning."

He looked at her until she raised her head and signified for him to
continue. "The agencies which attempted to prevent the delivery of Herr
Renwick's information to the British Embassy are again at work. Herr
Renwick having been"--he paused and bowed to Renwick--"if I may be
permitted to say so--having been repudiated by his Ambassador and by the
British government, he is politically a person of no importance--at
least as far as my relations with him are concerned. Whatever he may do
privately, unless it proves valuable to the interests of Austria's
enemies, will pass as it has already passed--unnoticed in Austria. The
case of the Countess Strahni is different----"

He paused a moment to rub his hands together thoughtfully.

"I can not understand----"

"Within the past twenty-four hours the apartments of the Baroness
Racowitz have been observed by persons not in my service. The Countess
perhaps has had no unusual communications?"

Marishka started up in her chair, while Windt, watching her, smiled
slowly.

"Ah, I was not mistaken----" he said.

"A request to go to the Hofburg tonight--before Herr Renwick came," she
whispered, now thoroughly aroused. "I did not go. The signature was
unfamiliar to me."

Herr Windt took a pace toward the window and peered forth through the
slats of the blind.

"The Countess Strahni would not have reached the Hofburg," he said
quiet