nd the help of Scotland Yard must not be invoked. Of course, it was
clear even to Hamilton that there was no evidence against the supposed
Sicilian which would warrant any magistrate in committing him for trial
on a charge of attempted assassination. There was conjectural
probability enough; but men are not sent for trial in this country on
charges of conjectural probability. The fact of the false telegram
having been sent was the only thing which made it clear that behind the
Sicilian there were conspirators of a more educated and formidable
character. The Sicilian never could have sent that telegram; would not
be likely to know anything about Hamilton. Hamilton in the end became
satisfied that the Dictator was right, and that it would be better to
keep a keen look-out and let the plot develop itself. The most absolute
reliance could be put on the silence of the Sarrasins; and better
look-out could hardly be kept than the look-out of that brave and
quick-witted pair of watchers. Therefore Ericson told Hamilton he meant
to sleep in spite of thunder.

The very day after the scene on the bridge the Dictator got an imperious
little note from Helena asking him to come to see her at once, as she
had something to say to him. He had been thinking of her--he had been
occupying himself in an odd sort of way with the conviction, the memory,
that if the supposed assassin had only been equal to his work, the last
thought on earth of the Dictator would have been given to Helena
Langley. It did not occur to the Dictator, in his quiet, unegotistic
nature, to think of what Helena Langley would have given to know that
her name in such a crisis would have been on his dying lips.

Ericson himself did not think of the matter in that sentimental and
impassioned way. He was only studying in his mind the curious fact that
he certainly was thinking about Helena Langley as he stood on the bridge
and looked on the water; and that, if the knife of the ladies'
slipper-maker had done its business promptly, the last thought in his
mind, the last feeling in his heart, would have been given not to Gloria
but to Helena Langley.

He was welcomed and ushered by To-to. When the footman had announced
him, Helena sprang up from her sofa and ran to meet him.

'I sent for you,' she said, almost breathlessly, 'because I have a
favour to ask of you! Will you promise me, as all gallants did in the
old days--will you promise me before I ask it, that you will g