vitch is here," and went out of the
room.

As the door closed I tossed away my pen and turned around, facing my
assassin.

"I am pleased to see you, M. Petrovitch."

"Monsieur V----!"

I thought he would have lost his senses. His whole countenance
changed. He clung to his chair, and his eyes were fixed on me with an
expression of panic.

So complete was his collapse that he did not attempt to speak or
excuse himself. I saw that he was hardly in a condition to listen to
anything I had to say.

"I fear you are unwell, M. Petrovitch. Allow me to offer you a little
brandy."

The wretched man watched me with bewildered looks, as I took a bottle
and glasses from a cupboard and helped first him and then myself.

"It is quite wholesome, I assure you."

As I said the words I raised my own glass to my lips and sipped.

A choking cry escaped from the author of the war. He seized the glass
I had set before him and feverishly drained it.

I saw that he was burning to know by what means I had escaped the
fate prepared for me. But I had no object in gratifying his
curiosity, and mere boasting is not a weakness of mine.

Steadfastly preserving the tone of a business interview between men
who understand each other, I went on to say:

"I am here, as you know, in the joint interests of England and
Japan."

My murderer nodded faintly. I could see him making a tremendous
effort to control his nerves, and enter into conversation with me on
my own terms.

"I think I should be glad of a little more brandy. Thank you!--I am
not at all myself."

I shook my head compassionately.

"You should be careful to avoid too much excitement," I said. "Any
sudden shock is bad for a man with your nerves."

The promoter gasped. The situation was clearly beyond him.

"You," I went on in my most matter-of-fact tone, "on the contrary,
are acting on behalf of Germany."

"Who says so!" He was beginning to speak fiercely; but his eye met
mine, and the words died on his lips.

"We will say I dreamed it, if you like," I responded drily. "I have
very remarkable dreams sometimes, and learn a great deal from them.

"To confine ourselves to business. I have caused the sailing of this
Baltic Fleet to be put off, because----"

"You--have caused it!"

The interruption burst from him in spite of himself.

I affected to shrug my shoulders with a certain annoyance.

"Your opinion of my powers does not seem to be a very high one,
unfortunate