aw his name in one of the lists
of prisoners, and I went at once to Wittenberg."

A fresh flood of questions was upon Helen's lips, but Philippa brushed
her away.

"Please let me speak," she said. "You have brought us these letters from
Richard, for which we offer you our heartfelt thanks, but you did
not risk your liberty, perhaps your life, to come here simply as
his ambassador. There is something beyond this in your visit to this
country. You may be a Swede, but is it not true that at the present
moment you are in the service of an enemy?"

Lessingham bowed acquiescence.

"You are entirely right," he murmured.

"Am I also right in concluding that you have some service to ask of us?"

"Your directness, dear lady, moves me to admiration," Lessingham assured
her. "I am here to ask a trifling favour in return for those which I
have rendered and those which I may yet render to your brother."

"And that favour?"

Their visitor looked down at his torn attire.

"A suit of your brother's clothes," he replied, "and a room in which
to change. The disposal of these rags I may leave, I presume, to your
ingenuity."

"Anything else?"

"It is my wish," he continued, "to remain in this neighbourhood for a
short time--perhaps a fortnight and perhaps a month. I should value your
introduction to the hotel here, and the extension of such hospitality as
may seem fitting to you, under the circumstances."

"As Mr. Hamar Lessingham?"

"Beyond a doubt."

There was a moment's silence. Philippa's face had become almost stony.
She took a step towards the telephone. Lessingham, however, held out his
hand.

"Your purpose?" he enquired.

"I am going to ring up the Commandant here," she told him, "and explain
your presence in this house."

"An heroic impulse," he observed, "but too impulsive."

"We shall see," she retorted. "Will you let me pass?"

His fingers restrained her as gently as possible.

"Let me make a reasonable appeal to both of you," he suggested. "I am
here at your mercy. I promise you that under no circumstances will I
attempt any measure of violence. From any fear of that, I trust my name
and my friendship with your brother will be sufficient guarantee."

"Continue, then," Philippa assented.

"You will give me ten minutes in which to state my case," he begged.

"We must!" Helen exclaimed. "We must, Philippa! Please!"

"You shall have your ten minutes," Philippa conceded.

He abandoned his attitude of