alors was my guest, and the accusation
against him is one which I cannot believe."

"The story, as I have told it, sir, is absolutely true," I said to Lord
Cheisford. "There was no room for any mistake or misapprehension on my
part. I am afraid that I haven't been a great success as your
secretary. Colonel Ray gave me to understand, of course, that your
object in engaging an utterly unknown person was to try and stop this
leakage of information. It is still going on, and I cannot stop it. I
am quite prepared to give up my post at any moment."

Lord Chelsford nodded towards the door.

"Will you be so good as to step into the next room for a few minutes,
Mr. Ducaine?" he said. "We will discuss this matter together."

I departed at once, and found my way into a bare waiting-room, hung with
a few maps, and with uncarpeted floor. The minutes dragged along
slowly. I hated the thought of dismissal, I rebelled against it almost
fiercely. I had done my duty, I had told the truth, there was nothing
against me save this obstinate and quixotic loyalty of the Duke to an
old family friend. Yet I scarcely dared hope that there was a chance
for me.

At last I heard the door open, and the sound of friendly adieux in the
passage. Lord Cheisford came in to me alone. He took up a position
with his back to the fire, and looked at me thoughtfully.

"Well, Mr. Ducaine," he said, "we have discussed this matter
thoroughly, and we are all practically agreed that there is no reason
why we should ask you to give up your position."

I was almost overcome. It was a wonderful relief to me.

"But surely the Duke--" I faltered.

"The Duke is very loyal to his friends, Mr. Ducaine," he said, "but he
is also a man with a nice sense of justice. You and he regard two
incidents from entirely different points of view, but he does not for a
moment suggest that your account of them is not an honest one. He looks
upon you as a little nervous and overstrung by your responsibilities and
disposed to be imaginative. He will not hear anything against the
Prince of Malors."

"My story is as true as God's Word," I declared.

"I am inclined to believe in it myself, Mr. Ducaine," said Lord
Chelsford. "There are indications of a strong revival of Royalist
sentiment amongst the French people, and it is very possible that the
Prince of Malors may wish to ingratiate himself by any means with the
French army. This sort of thing scarcely sounds like practical
po