f
Spivak, which had seemed to threaten disaster, had been turned by a bold
stroke from calamity to good fortune. But Renwick determined to avoid
further such encounters if possible. And so, resuming the mode of
progress which had been so effective on the way to Tuzla, he walked at
night, and slept under cover by day, reaching a town upon the banks of
the Danube, where he bought new clothing, a straw hat, a change of
linen, and a hand bag with which (representing himself as a grain
merchant of Ujvidek), he boldly boarded a steamer upon the river,
reaching Budapest without further incident.

It was not until he had passed the Quai and was safely in the Karoly
Korut that Renwick breathed easily. He was now safe, finding his way to
his immediate destination, the house of a person connected with the
English Secret Service, into whose care he confidently entrusted
himself.

CHAPTER XXII

THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK

Herr Koulas was by birth a Greek, by citizenship, an Austrian, and by
occupation, a chemist; but his real metier, concealed under a most
docile and law abiding exterior, was secret inquiry in behalf of the
British government into all matters pertaining to its interests, either
social, political, or military. He knew his Hungary from Odenburg to
Kronstadt, from the Save to the Carpathians, and Renwick, while somewhat
dubious as to the wisdom of his visit under the circumstances, found
himself received at this excellent man's home with a warmth of welcome
which left no doubt in his own mind as to the unselfishness of his host.
Even before the war Renwick and Constantine Koulas had met in secret, so
that if trouble came no plan should mar the man's impeccable character
in Austrian eyes. And Renwick would not have come to him now, had not
his own need been great. But Herr Koulas, having heard the tale of his
adventures and reassured as to the present danger of pursuit, gave
willingly of his hospitality and counsel, and when he learned the
character of Renwick's mission, volunteered to procure him a set of
papers which would rob his pilgrimage to the north, at least, of its
most obvious dangers. He was ready with information, too, and offered a
mind with a peculiar genius for the kind of problem that Renwick
presented. The fact that the great Prussian secret agent, Leo Goritz,
was involved in the affair lent it an individuality which detracted
nothing from its other interest. Leo Goritz! Only last year ther