"There are one or two links missing," said Sage. "I want to know where
and when the _Destroyer_ will arrive, and what steps you are taking in
regard to John Dene."

"All arrangements will be left in Mr. Dene's hands. He is----" Mr.
Lewellyn John paused.

"A little self-willed," suggested Sage.

"Self-willed!" exclaimed Mr. Llewellyn John. "He is a dictator in
embryo."

"He happens also to be a patriot," said Sage quietly.

"Wait until you meet him," said the Prime Minister grimly.

"I have met him," said Sage quietly. "I trod on his toe last night at
'Chu Chin Chow.' We had quite a pleasant little chat about it. I
think that is all I need trouble you with, sir," he concluded.

"And we are to see the thing through?" interrogated Colonel Walton, as
Mr. Llewellyn John rose. "There won't be any----"

"No one else knows anything about it except Sir Lyster, Sir Bridgman
and Admiral Heyworth. By the way," Mr. Llewellyn John added, "our
Canadian friend has an idea that our Secret Service is run by
superannuated policemen in regulation boots."

"I know," said Sage, as he followed his chief towards the door.

"Good-bye," cried Mr. Llewellyn John. "I'm sure I shall have to send
you to the Tower, Sage, before I've finished with you."

"Then I'll spend the time writing the History of Department Z., sir,"
was the quiet reply. The two men went out, and Mr. Llewellyn John rang
for his secretary.

"You have rather----" began Colonel Walton, but he stopped short. Sage
suddenly knocked him roughly with his elbow.

"I have never seen the Mons Star," he said. "Can we go round by
Whitehall? The Horse Guards sentries, I believe, wear it."

The two men had reached the top of the steps leading down into St.
James's Park. Without a moment's pause Sage turned quickly, and nearly
cannoned into a pretty and stylishly dressed girl, who was walking
close behind them. He lifted his hat and apologised, and he and
Colonel Walton passed up Downing Street into Whitehall. For the rest
of the walk back to St. James's Square, Sage chatted about medals.

Seated once more one on either side of Colonel Walton's table, Sage
proceeded to light his pipe.

"Clever, wasn't it?" he asked. "She's fairly new, too."

"Who was she?"

"Vera Ellerton, employed as a Temporary Ministry typist," Sage replied
drily.

"So that was it," remarked Colonel Walton, cutting the end of a cigar
with great deliberation.

"She was following us