ve of
afflated opinion passing through the Semitic races of the Near East--if,
indeed, it has not touched the Moslems. The Secretary for Foreign
Affairs anticipates--I speak as a member of the public--anticipates a
letter from a certain quarter respecting the advisablity of seizing the
person of this man without delay. Had such a letter actually reached my
friend, I had had no alternative but to place the matter in the hands of
the Secret Service."

Inspector Sheffield fidgeted.

"Excuse me, sir," he said; "but the S.S. could do no more than we are
doing."

"That I grant you," replied the Home Secretary, with his genial smile;
"but, in the event referred to, no choice would remain to me. Far from
desiring the intervention of another agent, I should regret it,
for--family reasons."

"Ah!" said the inspector; "I was about to--to--approach that side of the
matter, sir."

Mr. Belford's emotions were under perfect control, but at those words he
regarded the detective with a new interest.

"You have my respectful attention," he said.

"Well, sir,"--Sheffield was palpably embarrassed--"there's nothing to be
gained by beating about the bush! Excuse me, sir! But I know, and you
know, that Lady Mary Evershed--your niece, sir--and her American friend,
Miss Zoe Oppner, are----"

"Yes, inspector?"

"Are acquainted with Severac Bablon!"

Mr. Belford scrutinised Sheffield closely. There was more in the man
than appeared at first sight.

"Is this regrettable fact so generally known?" he asked rather coldly.

"No, sir," replied the other; "but if the case went on the Secret
Service Fund it might be compromising!"

"Do I understand you to mean, inspector, that the discretion of our
political agents is not to be relied upon?"

"No, sir. But your--private information could hardly be withheld from
them--as it has been withheld from us!"

Even the politician's studied reserve was not proof against that thrust.
He started. Chief-Inspector Sheffield, after all, was a man to be
counted with. A silence fell between them--to be broken by the Home
Secretary.

"Your frankness pleases me, Inspector Sheffield."

The other bowed awkwardly.

"I perceive that you would make a bargain. I am to take you into my
confidence, and you, in turn, hope to render any employment of the Fund
unnecessary?"

"Whatever you tell me, sir, will go no farther--not to one other living.
Better confide in me than in a political agent. Then, you can