ures, we
felt we might take it as a sure sign that the Duke was not only planning
an important tour, but was not forgetting a detail of precaution which
could prevent my learning his intentions.

As we could not set a watch upon the chauffeur, we set a watch upon the
Duke; and it was Ropes who, with considerable relish, undertook the task.
I did not wish to bring a stranger into the affair; and Ropes I could
trust as I trusted myself. Therefore Ropes it was who unobtrusively dogged
Carmona's footsteps from the time the Duke went out in the morning, up to
the time he went in again at night.

Meanwhile, Dick took steps to become correspondent for _The Daily
Despatch_ of London, and _The New York Recorder_, the editors of which
papers he knew personally. He spent a great deal of money in wiring long
messages, but his reward was success, and, as he said, he was "proud of
his job," which he intended to carry out as faithfully as if writing
impressions for newspapers were the business of his life.

Also, we got the car repainted; bought lamps of a different sort; ordered
side baskets to be attached, of a red to match the new colour; had Dick
Waring's monogram, in execrable taste, put on the doors; while last and
most important change of all, from being number A12,901, the automobile
became, illegally but convincingly, M14,317. Cunningest device of all,
Ropes changed the wheel-caps of my Gloria for those of a Frenzel, as like
a Gloria as a Fiat is like a Mercedes; so that only an expert of much
experience would know that the car was not a Frenzel.

A quick dryer was used, and in two days we were ready for anything. I
still hoped for a letter from Monica, with some hints as to her mother's
plans, but nothing came; and when we had had a blank day, with no news of
activity in the enemy's camp, it was a relief to have Ropes arrive at the
hotel in the morning just as I was dressed.

I knew the moment I saw his face that something exciting had happened.

"The Duke's gone, my lord," he reported; "gone in a dark grey, covered
car; I couldn't get near enough to make sure what it was, but it looks
like a Lecomte. He's this moment got off."

"Not alone?"

"No, my lord. I'll tell you exactly what took place. I was at the window
in the little room I hired over a shop three days ago, in sight of the
entrance gates of the Villa Isabella. It was just seven o'clock this
morning when a smart, big grey car drove in, might be a forty hors