dum in your
own hand, to show that I do not misstate nor mistake you--that I have your
meaning correctly, and without even a chance of error?'

'I will write it formally and deliberately.'

The bell of the outer door rang at the moment. It was a telegraphic message
to Atlee, to say that the steamer had perfected her repairs and would sail
that evening.

'You mean to sail with her?' asked the Greek. 'Well, within an hour, you
shall have my packet. Good-bye. I have no doubt we shall hear of each other
again.'

'I think I could venture to bet on it,' were Atlee's last words as he
turned away.

CHAPTER LXV

IN TOWN

Lord Danesbury had arrived at Bruton Street to confer with certain members
of the Cabinet who remained in town after the session, chiefly to consult
with him. He was accompanied by his niece, Lady Maude, and by Walpole, the
latter continuing to reside under his roof, rather from old habit than from
any strong wish on either side.

Walpole had obtained a short extension of his leave, and employed the
time in endeavouring to make up his mind about a certain letter to Nina
Kostalergi, which he had written nearly fifty times in different versions
and destroyed. Neither his lordship nor his niece ever saw him. They knew
he had a room or two somewhere, a servant was occasionally encountered on
the way to him with a breakfast-tray and an urn; his letters were seen on
the hall-table; but, except these, he gave no signs of life--never appeared
at luncheon or at dinner--and as much dropped out of all memory or interest
as though he had ceased to be.

It was one evening, yet early--scarcely eleven o'clock--as Lord Danesbury's
little party of four Cabinet chiefs had just departed, that he sat at
the drawing-room fire with Lady Maude, chatting over the events of the
evening's conversation, and discussing, as men will do at times, the
characters of their guests.

'It has been nearly as tiresome as a Cabinet Council, Maude!' said he, with
a sigh, 'and not unlike it in one thing--it was almost always the men who
knew least of any matter who discussed it most exhaustively.'

'I conclude you know what you are going out to do, my lord, and do not care
to hear the desultory notions of people who know nothing.'

'Just so. What could a First Lord tell me about those Russian intrigues
in Albania, or is it likely that a Home Secretary is aware of what is
preparing in Montenegro? They get hold of some crotchet in