of his servant, and for the next few seconds
busied himself with the mixing of drinks. De Montville continued to watch
him with keen interest. As Mordaunt handed him his glass he clutched the
sofa-head and stood up.

"I drink to your future happiness," he said, with a sudden smile and bow,
"and to the lady who will be so fortunate as to share it!"

Mordaunt held out his hand. "Thank you. Much obliged. But sit down, my
dear fellow. I haven't quite finished what I want to say. And you are too
shaky to be bobbing up and down. I was just going to point out where you
come in."

De Montville gripped his hand with all his strength. "I can serve you,
then? You have only to speak."

But Mordaunt would not speak till he was recumbent again. Then very
quietly he came to the point.

"The upshot of it is that I want a secretary to take things off my hands
a bit, and since I would rather have a pal than a stranger in that
capacity I am wondering if you will take on the job."

"I!" Utter amazement sounded in de Montville's voice. He sat bolt upright
for a space of seconds, staring into the impassive British face before
him. "But you--you--joke!" he said at last, his voice very low.

"No, I am quite in earnest." Gravely Mordaunt returned his look. "I
believe we might pull together very well. Think it over, M. de Montville,
and if you feel inclined to give it a trial--"

"I wish that you would call me Bertrand," de Montville broke in
unexpectedly. "It would be more convenient. My name is known in England,
and--I do not like publicity. As for your--so generous--suggestion,
monsieur, I have no words. I am your debtor in all things. I know well
that it is of my welfare that you think. For myself I do not need to
consider for a moment. I would accept with joy and gratitude the most
profound. But, I ask you, are you altogether wise in thus reposing your
confidence in a man of whom you know nothing, except that he was tried
and condemned for an offence of which you had the goodness to believe him
innocent? I repeat, monsieur, are you altogether wise?"

"From my own point of view--absolutely." Mordaunt spoke with a smile. He
held up his glass. "You accept, then?"

"How could I do other than accept?" protested the Frenchman, with
outspread hands.

"Then drink with me to the success of our alliance," said Mordaunt. "I
believe it will work very well."

He prepared to drink, but de Montville made a swift movement to arrest
him. "Bu