he liked; and these were the ones on whom we wasted no pity. If this was
what the first three hours brought forth, how would the tide swell by
the end of the day--the end of the _week_? Tarpeia buried under the
shields and bracelets wasn't _in_ it with us!

Terry and I divided the budget, planning to exchange when all had been
read. But we couldn't keep silent. Every second minute one or other of
us exploded: "You _must_ hear this!" "Just listen to _one_ more!"

About halfway through my pile, I picked up a remarkably alluring
envelope. It was a peculiar pale shade of purple, the paper being of
rich satin quality suggesting pre-war. The address of the newspaper
office was in purple ink, and the handwriting was impressive. But what
struck me most was a gold crown on the back of the envelope, above a
purple seal; a crown signifying the same rank as my own.

I glanced up to see if Terry were noticing. If he had been, I should
have passed the letter to him as a _bonne bouche_, for this really was
_his_ show, and I wanted him to have all the plums. But he was grinning
over somebody's photograph, so I broke the seal without disturbing him.

I couldn't keep up this reserve for long, however; I hadn't read far
when I burst out with a "By Jove!"

"What is it?" asked Terry.

"We've hooked quite a big fish," said I. "Listen to this: 'The Princess
Avalesco presents her compliments to T. B., and hopes that he will----'
but, my goodness _gracious_, Captain Burns! What's the matter?"

The man had gone pale as skim-milk, and was staring at me as though I'd
turned into a Gorgon.

CHAPTER IV

THE TANGLED WEB

"Read the name again, please," Terry said, controlling his voice.

"Avalesco--the Princess Avalesco." I felt suddenly frightened. I'd been
playing with the public as if people were my puppets. Now I had a vague
conviction at the back of my brain that Fate had made a puppet of me.

"I thought so. But I couldn't believe my own ears," said Terry. "Good
heavens! what a situation!"

"I--don't understand," I hesitated. "Perhaps you'd rather not have me
understand? If so, don't tell me anything."

"I must tell you!" he said.

"Not unless you wish."

"I do! We are pals now. You've helped me. Maybe you can go on helping.
You'll advise me, if there's any way I can use this--this _amazing_
chance."

I said I'd be glad to help, and then waited for him to make the next
move.

Captain Burns sat as if dazed for a few