ning pasteboard was marked and instantaneous.
The man behind the bar was at once cringing and ready to do anything.

"I'm sure I beg your pardon, sir," he said, "but we are pestered out of
our lives from morning till night. I dare say I can get you a few words
with Miss Vane, who does not come on the stage till the third piece. And
from the bottom of my heart, I hope that there is nothing wrong, for a
nicer young lady than Miss Vane----"

"There is nothing wrong at all," Field hastened to say. "On the whole
I've changed my mind. Don't say a word to Miss Vane about me, it may
alarm her. Give me a programme; I'll just slip into the house and see
Miss Vane from the stalls. Thank you."

Field made his way round to the front of the house, and presenting his
card at the box office, desired to have a seat for half an hour or so.

CHAPTER XX

The immaculately dressed young man in the office turned Field's card
over doubtfully. He had every desire to oblige, he said, but really the
house was packed to its utmost capacity. Also the well-dressed young man
hoped that there would be nothing to disturb the harmony of the
proceedings.

"You may make your mind quite easy on that score," said Field with a
reassuring smile. "There will be no disturbance as far as I am
concerned. I want to identify somebody whom I believe is in the house,
and when that is done my work is finished. Never mind about a seat--let
me stand by the side of the stalls so that I can pass for an official."

There was no difficulty whatever about this, and therefore Field stepped
into the house as the curtain was going up on the last of the brilliant
trifles of the evening. The house was packed to its utmost capacity with
an audience that seemed decidedly to appreciate the bill of fare that
had been prepared for their delectation.

Field glanced round the house with his usual blank way that nevertheless
took in everything. Most of the people in the stalls were known by sight
to him. In an upper box on the prompt side he saw the dark face and
eager eyes of the Rajah of Ahbad. He seemed to be looking for somebody,
for his glasses were constantly in use. There was a restless air, too,
about the Rajah, that showed that he was not altogether at his ease.

"We live and learn," Field told himself. "I wonder what yonder wily
oriental would think if he knew all that I have discovered lately. I
suppose one of his favourite ballet girls is in the piece. Pretty