he imperial police.
There was little for him to learn; but to feel that I was watched,
and, once, that my desk had been searched, was disagreeable. This time
I meant to be on safer ground, and was inquiring for a suitable
servant when a lean, alert little man presented himself with a good
record as a valet in England and France. He was very neat and had a
humorous look which caught my fancy. His name was Alphonse Duret. We
agreed easily as to wages and that he was to act as valet, take care
of my salon, and serve as footman at need. Yes, he could come at once.
Upon this I said:

"A word more and I engage you." And then, sure that his reply would be
a confident negative, "Are you not a spy in the service of the
police?" To my amused surprise he said:

"Yes, but will monsieur permit me to explain?"

"Certainly."

"I was intended by my family to be a priest, but circumstances caused
me to make a change. It was not gay."

"Well, hardly."

"I was for a time a valet, but circumstances occurred--monsieur may
observe that I am frank. Later I was on the police force, but after
two years I fell ill and lost my place. When I was well again, I was
taken on as an observer. Monsieur permits me to describe it as an
observer?"

"A spy?" I said.

"I cannot contradict monsieur. I speak English--I learned it when I
was valet for Mr. Parker in London. That is why I am sent here. The
pay is of a minuteness. Circumstances make some addition desirable."

I perceived that circumstances appeared to play a large part in this
queer autobiography, and saved the necessity of undesirable fullness
of statement.

I said: "You appear to be frank, but are you to belong to me or to the
police? In your studies for the priesthood you may have heard that a
man cannot serve two masters."

His face became of a sudden what I venture to call luminous with the
pleasure an intelligent man has in finding an answer to a difficult
question.

He replied modestly: "A man has many masters. One of mine has used me
badly. I became ill from exposure in the service, but they refused to
take me back. If monsieur will trust me, there shall be but one real
master."

The man interested me. I said: "If I engage you, you will, I suppose,
desire to remain what you call an observer."

"Yes. Monsieur may be sure that either I or another will observe.
Since the unfortunate war in America, monsieur and all others of his
legation are watched."

"And generally ev