he is to shadow you and learn
where you are stopping and loot your trunk the first night you spend
ashore!"

"I don't grasp," I commented dazedly; "why they should weave such
circles. Why not let one of their own agents bring over the papers?"

The lieutenant smiled a faint, cold, wintry smile.

"Spies," he informed me, "always think they are watched, and generally
they're not wrong in thinking so. If they can send their documents by an
innocent person, they had better. For my part, I call it a very clever
scheme."

"I believe I am dreaming," I muttered. "Somebody ought to pinch me.
You found those infernal things nestling among my coats and hose and
trousers--and you don't think I put them there?"

"I didn't say that," he denied as unresponsively as a brazen Vishnu. "I
simply say that I wouldn't care to order you shot as things stand now.
But you'll remember that I have only your word that all this happened or
that you are really an American or even that this passport is yours and
that your name is--ah--Devereux Bayne. We'll have to know quite a bit
more before we call this thing settled. How are you going to satisfy his
Majesty the King?"

I plucked up spirit.

"Well," I suggested, "how will this suit you? I'll go down to my
stateroom and stop there until we land in Italy; and, if you like, just
to be on the safe side with such a desperado as I am, you can put a
guard outside my door. But first, you'll send a sheaf of marconigrams
for me in both directions. You're welcome to read them, of course,
before they go. Then when we get to Naples, my friend, Mr. Herriott,
will meet the steamer. He is second secretary at the United States
embassy, and his identification will be sufficient, I suppose. Anyhow,
if it isn't, I dare say the ambassador will say a word for me. I have
known him for years, though not so well."

"That would be quite sufficient as to identification." He stressed the
last word significantly, and I thanked heaven for Dunny and the forces
which I knew that rather important old personage could set to work.

"Also," I continued coolly, "there will be various cablegrams from
United States officials awaiting us, which will convince you, I hope,
that I am not likely to be a spy. There will be a statement from the
friend who dined with me at the St. Ives. There will be the declaration
of the policeman who saw the German climb down the fire-escape and
bolt into the room beneath." "And hang the expense!