reason for
believing that in Sarajevo the lives of both will hang by a hair."

"But who----?" she stammered, her eyes wide with consternation.

She paused, the thoughts that had come first into her mind, stifled in
horror.

"It is not necessary for me to say. I am merely giving my belief based
on the closest study of political conditions."

A slight color had come into her cheeks.

"I am sure that you must be unduly alarmed," she said coolly. "The
Archduke will be in the midst of his friends--his whole army at
maneuvers!" Her lips found courage in a smile. "Why, the thing is
impossible!"

Renwick leaned against the mantel, his arms folded, and went on
steadily.

"The thing is not impossible, Countess Strahni. The danger to Franz
Ferdinand is very real--a danger that no army of Austrian soldiers can
minimize. He goes to a hostile neighborhood. He is not loved in
Sarajevo. Should not this be sufficient?"

"You trouble me," she muttered, passing a hand before her eyes. "But I
must know more. An Archduke must have enemies----"

"But this Archduke! Can you conceive of no reason why Franz Ferdinand
should be in danger?" he asked meaningly.

She searched his face quickly, in her eyes the truth dawning.

"You mean----?"

He shrugged.

"You should know what I mean."

"I cannot believe----" she halted again.

"Countess Strahni," he went on quickly, "were I still a member of the
staff of the British Embassy, I should not speak. I do not even now
accuse any group or political party of participation in this plot. The
Emperor at least is guiltless. Death has already done its worst to him.
The matter is out of his hands. But I do know that such a plot exists.
Franz Ferdinand will not return alive from Sarajevo and if the Duchess
of Hohenberg accompanies him, she, too----"

"It is horrible--and I--I will have been the cause----"

She sank into her chair and buried her face in her hands.

"Perhaps now you will understand my motive in coming to you," he said
softly. "I have no desire but to serve you. England has no further
concern for Archduke Ferdinand. Forewarned is forearmed. His sting is
already drawn. But death, like this--sudden, violent, without a
chance--England has never looked with kindness upon the killing of
women, Countess Strahni."

"It is horrible," she whispered. "Horrible! I cannot believe----"

"Unfortunately I can give you none of the sources of my information. But
whatever my sins in your e