with such happy effect on those whom he desired to influence.

'Ah, my dear Lieutenant, I understood you were in Revonde, and took the
advantage of your presence to put into effect a little plan which has
been for some time in contemplation. I recollect having had the pleasure
of meeting you not so long ago when you arrived in Maasau.'

'Nearly six years ago, your Excellency,' replied Rallywood with a smile.

'I can scarcely believe it to be so long. At any rate I remember
perfectly that I had the honour of presenting you to his Highness as the
latest addition to our Frontier Cavalry.'

'Your Excellency might easily have forgotten. From the nature of the
case that could not be possible with me.'

Selpdorf listened with a little astonishment. This Englishman was not
quite such a fool as one might have expected from the fact of his having
been content to remain without preferment and only a proportion of his
pay for over five years on the frontier. He had hoped to find the fellow
adaptable, but this long-limbed, slow-spoken gentleman was not
altogether so transparent an individuality as Selpdorf had led himself
to expect.

'But why have you secluded yourself for so long among those barbarous
marshes and forests?' demanded the Chancellor in a rallying manner. The
young man made no reply, though the obvious one was in his mind.

'By-the-by,' resumed the Chancellor, as if struck by a new thought, 'I
have heard that your countryman Major Counsellor has come to pay us a
little visit in Maasau.'

'He is here. I have just seen him,' replied Rallywood.

Selpdorf's round eyes glanced once more at his companion. The simple
directness of the reply was admirable but baffling.

'Ah, he is invaluable, the good Major, quite invaluable! England may
well be proud of him. He is one of the ablest men in Europe,
besides'--here he smiled, showing a row of strong, even teeth--'besides
being one of the most honest. For a diplomatist--what praise!'

Rallywood met his glance imperturbably.

'For a diplomatist, your Excellency?' he repeated.

'But assuredly,' replied the Chancellor warmly: 'figure to yourself, my
friend, the condition of politics if all statesmen were like
him--honest! An invaluable man!'

He paused for a reply, but Rallywood merely bowed. He felt that so much
at least was expected of him on the part of England.

'But now, monsieur, with regard to your own affair. You have been five
years in the service of his H