t,
and had used his influence to enable her to obtain Dr. Hartmann's
services. "The doctor is a great friend of mine," the Minister remarked.
"I regard him as one of the leading scientists of Europe."

"Undoubtedly," the detective assented gravely. "I am not acquainted with
him, myself. My business is with Miss Ellicott."

"Then why have you come here?" asked Mr. Phelps, with some asperity.
"The doctor's house is but a few moments' drive."

"I know that. But unfortunately I am not acquainted with Miss Ellicott.
She might resent my calling on her so unceremoniously. I had hoped that
you might ask her to come here, so that I might be properly introduced
to her."

The Minister considered the matter carefully. Evidently he did not
altogether like it. "You forget, Mr. Duvall," he said, finally, "that I
myself do not know you. Furthermore I certainly have no desire to
involve Miss Ellicott in any difficulties. I trust," he concluded,
uneasily, "that she is not already so involved."

"No." The detective shook his head. "Not yet. But unless I can have a
few words with her in private, she soon may be. I am working in her
interests. I am here to protect her from a grave danger." He went toward
the Minister, and, taking a package of papers from his pocket, placed
them in the latter's hand. "Here are my credentials. From them you will
see that I am what I represent myself to be. I cannot undertake to
explain to you now the reasons which prevent me from going to Miss
Ellicott where she is. The mere fact that I am unknown to her will, I
trust, prove sufficient. I wish to say to her but a few words. She will
be very glad to hear them, I know."

The Minister returned the papers to Duvall and glanced at the clock upon
his desk. "We are having a few friends for dinner to-night, Mr. Duvall.
I shall ask Miss Ellicott to join us. If you care to be one of the
party--" He paused, looking at the other questioningly.

"I shall be very glad indeed to accept, Mr. Phelps. I assure you that I
would under no circumstances force myself upon you in this way, were it
not for Miss Ellicott's good. And, in order that your other guests may
not by any chance identify me, may I ask that you will introduce me as
Mr. Brooks?"

The Minister nodded. "Very well, if you wish it, Mr. Duvall. The whole
affair strikes me as extremely unusual, and did I not know you to be a
man of your word, I should have nothing to do with it. Under the
circumstances, I wi