ortgages. In a few months'
or a few years' time, some distant Dominey will benefit to that extent.
We cannot recover the money. It is just an item in our day by day
expenses."

"It was certainly a magnificent way of establishing me," Dominey
admitted.

"Magnificent, but safest in the long run," Seaman declared. "If you
had returned a poor man, everybody's hand would have been against you;
suspicions, now absolutely unkindled, might have been formed; and, more
important, perhaps, than either, you would not have been able to take
your place in Society, which is absolutely necessary for the furtherance
of our scheme."

"Is it not almost time," Dominey enquired, "that the way was made a
little clearer for me?"

"That would have been my task this morning," Seaman replied, "but for
the news I bring. In passing, however, let me promise you this. You will
never be asked to stoop to the crooked ways of the ordinary spy. We want
you for a different purpose."

"And the news?"

"What must be the greatest desire in your heart," Seaman said solemnly,
"is to be granted. The Kaiser has expressed a desire to see you, to give
you his instructions in person."

Dominey stopped short upon the terrace. He withdrew his arm from his
companion's and stared at him blankly.

"The Kaiser?" he exclaimed. "You mean that I am to go to Germany?"

"We shall start at once," Seaman replied. "Personally, I do not consider
the proceeding discreet or necessary. It has been decided upon, however,
without consulting me."

"I consider it suicidal," Dominey protested. "What explanation can
I possibly make for going to Germany, of all countries in the world,
before I have had time to settle down here?"

"That of itself will not be difficult," his companion pointed out. "Many
of the mines in which a share has been bought in your name are being run
with German capital. It is easy to imagine that a crisis has arisen
in the management of one of them. We require the votes of our fellow
shareholders. You need not trouble your head about that. And think of
the wonder of it! If only for a single day your sentence of banishment
is lifted. You will breathe the air of the Fatherland once more."

"It will be wonderful," Dominey muttered.

"It will be for you," Seaman promised, "a breath of the things that are
to come. And now, action. How I love action! That time-table, my friend,
and your chauffeur."

It was arranged that the two men should leave during