ikely, however; he is too old
and tried an official to be venal. Furthermore we haven't any money at
hand, and my instructions are to act independently of the German
Embassy, and under no circumstances whatever to communicate with it. In
such business as we are engaged, the Embassy never knows us nor of our
plans. They don't dare to know; and they will calmly deny us if we
appeal to them."

"The money might be arranged," Marston suggested. "You could cable to
Berlin for it--and have it cabled back."

"It might be done," said she thoughtfully. "You mean to try Carpenter
for a copy of the cipher letter?"

"It won't do any particular harm, as I see it; it can't make us any
worse off and it may give us the letter. It's worth the trial, it seems
to me."

"But if Carpenter has not succeeded in finding the key-word, how will
the letter help? Do you expect to bribe the French Embassy also?"

"It may not be necessary," he replied. "I know a number of keys of
French ciphers; one of them may fit."

"Very well," said she quietly; "you are empowered to have a try at
Carpenter."

"Good--I'll start after it at once. Any further orders, madame?"

"None till evening," again holding out her hand--and again smiling him
into kissing it adoringly.

"A useful man, Marston!" she reflected when the door closed behind him.
"And one who never presumes. A smile pays him for anything, and keeps
him devoted to me. Yes, a very useful and satisfactory man. His idea of
corrupting Carpenter may be rather futile; and he may get into a snarl
by trying it, but," with a shrug of her shapely shoulders, "that is his
affair and won't involve me. And if he should prove successful, the new
French key-word which the Count, the dear Count, gave me just before I
left Paris, may turn the trick."

The Count de M---- was confidential secretary to the Foreign Minister,
and he had slipped her the bit of paper containing the key-word at a
ball, two evenings before she sailed on her present mission. He was not
aware that she was sailing, nor was she; the order came so suddenly that
she and her maid had barely time to fling a few things in a couple of
steamer trunks and catch the last train. She had fascinated the Count;
for a year he had been one of her most devoted, but most discreet,
admirers. He also was exceedingly serviceable. Hence she took pains to
hold him.

Languidly she reached for her little gold mesh bag--the one thing that
never left her--and