iscovered him in the act
of perusing the documents relating to the subway of Portsmouth. I
cannot possibly withhold my knowledge of these things from Lord
Chelsford. In fact, I think it is most important that he should know of
them."

The Duke rose slowly to his feet. He showed no sign of anger.

"If you prefer your own judgment to mine, Mr. Ducaine," he said, "I
have no more to say. I have taken you into my confidence, and I have
endeavoured to show you your most politic course of behaviour. If your
views are so far opposed, you must not consider it an injustice if I
decide that a person of more judgment is required successfully to
conduct the duties of secretary to the Council."

"I can only thank your Grace for your past kindness," I answered with
sinking heart.

He looked across at me with still cold eyes.

"Do not misunderstand me," he said. "I do not dismiss you. I shall
leave that to the Board. If my colleagues are favourably disposed
towards you I shall not interfere. Only so far as I am concerned you
must take your chance."

"I quite understand your Grace," I declared. "I think that you are
treating me very fairly."

The Duke leaned back in his chair.

"Here they come!" he remarked.

CHAPTER XVIII

IN WHICH I SPEAK OUT

The door was thrown open. Lord Chelsford and Colonel Ray entered
together. The Commander-in-Chief accompanied them, and there was also
present a person who sat a little apart from the others, and who, I
learned afterwards, was a high official in the secret service. More
than ever, perhaps, I realized at that moment in the presence of these
men the strangeness of the events which for a short space of time, at
any rate, had brought me into association with persons and happenings of
such importance.

Lord Chelsford seated himself at the open desk opposite to the Duke. As
was his custom, he wasted no time in preliminaries.

"We wish for a few minutes' conversation with you, Mr. Ducaine," he
said, "on the subject of this recent leakage of news concerning our
proceedings on the Council of Defence. I need not tell you that the
subject is a very serious one."

"I quite appreciate its importance, sir," I answered.

"The particular documents of which we have news from Paris," Lord
Chelsford continued, "are those having reference to the proposed camp at
Winchester and the subway at Portsmouth. I understand, Mr. Ducaine,
that these were drafted by you, and placed in a safe in the li