, I think, needlessly hard upon himself. So much the
greater will be his reward when the end comes. So much the greater will
be the rapture with which he will throw himself on his knees before
you."

"Has he sent you to reason with me?"

"Not directly. I am to a certain extent, however, his major-domo in this
enterprise. I brought him from Africa. I have watched over him from the
start. Two brains are better than one. I try to show him where to avoid
mistakes, I try to point out the paths of danger and of safety."

"I should imagine Sir Everard finds you useful," she remarked calmly.

"I hope he does."

"It has doubtless occurred to you," she continued, "that our friend has
accommodated himself wonderfully to English life and customs?"

"You must remember that he was educated here. Nevertheless, his aptitude
has been marvellous."

"One might almost call it supernatural," she agreed. "Tell me, Mr.
Seaman, you seem to have been completely successful in the installation
of our friend here as Sir Everard. What is going to be his real value to
you? What work will he do?"

"We are keeping him for the big things. You have seen our gracious
master lately?" he added hesitatingly.

"I know what is at the back of your mind," she replied. "Yes! Before the
summer is over I am to pack up my trunks and fly. I understand."

"It is when that time comes," Seaman said impressively, "that we expect
Sir Everard Dominey, the typical English country gentleman, of whose
loyalty there has never been a word of doubt, to be of use to us. Most
of our present helpers will be under suspicion. The authorised staff of
our secret service can only work underneath. You can see for yourself
the advantage we gain in having a confidential correspondent who can day
by day reflect the changing psychology of the British mind in all its
phases. We have quite enough of the other sort of help arranged for.
Plans of ships, aerodromes and harbours, sailings of convoys, calling up
of soldiers--all these are the A B C of our secret service profession.
We shall never ask our friend here for a single fact, but, from his town
house in Berkeley Square, the host of Cabinet Ministers, of soldiers, of
the best brains of the country, our fingers will never leave the pulse
of Britain's day by day life."

Stephanie threw herself back in her easy-chair and clasped her hands
behind her head.

"These things you are expecting from our present host?"

"We are, and w