rope that he was awfully keen about--Houdania--and
rented himself out as a secretary to Baron Tregar. Just _imagine_! Dick
says he organized an aviation department there and won some kind of a
prize for an improved model and in the midst of it all, Susanne, Philip's
grandfather up and died, after quarreling for years and _years_ with the
whole family, and left Philip _all_ his money! _I_ think Philip's
quarrel with his father pleased him. But the very queerest part is that
Philip actually _likes_ to work and dabble in foreign politics and he
flatly refused to give up his job! Isn't it romantic? Philip was
_always_ keen for adventure. Dick says you never could put your finger
on a spot on the map and say comfortably, 'Philip Poynter's here!' for
most likely Philip Poynter was bolting furiously somewhere else!"

Unaware of Susanne's furtive interest in his career, Philip scanned the
calm, unruffled waters of the Westfall lake and sighing turned back to
his chief. There was a tempting drone of motors back among the hangars.

"We fly this morning?" he inquired smiling.

"Unfortunately not," regretted the Baron, and led the way indoors to a
room which Mrs. Sherrill had hospitably insisted upon regarding as a
private den of work and consultation for the Baron and his secretary.

"There is a mission of exceeding delicacy," began Baron Tregar slowly,
"which I feel I must inflict upon you." His deep, penetrating eyes
lingered intently upon Philip's face. "It concerns the singular
conveyance of green and white and the lady within it."

Philip looked frankly astonished.

"I take it then," he suggested, "that you know the nomadic lady, Baron
Tregar?"

"No," said the Baron.

Philip stared.

"Your Excellency is pleased to jest," he said politely.

"On the contrary," said the Baron, "I am at a loss for suitable words in
which to express my singular request. I am assured of your interest,
Poynter?"

"Of my interest, assuredly!" admitted Philip. "My compliance," he added
fairly, "depends, of course, upon the nature of the mission."

"It is absurdly simple," said the Houdanian suavely. "Merely to discover
whether or not the nomadic lady feels any exceptional interest--in
Houdania. For the information to be acquired in a careless,
disinterested manner without arousing undue interest, requires, I think,
an American of brains and breeding, a compatriot of the nomad. It has
occurred to me that you are equipped by