ing the
words he had to utter. To certain strong natures it is more painful to
inflict than to receive a wound.

'If you want my story,' resumed the host, after the servant had left
the room, 'and as you are concerned you have a right to hear it, this
is how it goes. I went into the diplomatic service. Then I met
Marjory. I needn't say what that meant to me. For the first time, I
think, I knew what living was. Shortly after came the war. At first I
thought that if America remained neutral as a country, it was not up to
individuals to quarrel with that attitude. Then came the _Lusitania_.
I wanted to go over at once, but hated to suggest it to Marjory. One
night, though, to my delight, the plucky little girl mentioned it
herself. I hurried back to Washington and offered my resignation, but
the chief urged me to remain three months longer, saying that I was
absolutely necessary in the reorganisation of a certain branch of the
Intelligence Division in New York. To cut the story short, months and
months went on, and they refused to release me. As a matter of fact I
was directing an investigation into German foreign diplomacy that was
of so delicate a nature I dared not mention it to Marjory. At its
conclusion I went to Washington and demanded that they let me go--I
gave my exact reason. The chief said he would give me a reply in a
week; but I told him that, no matter what he wrote, I would go at the
expiration of that time. It was while I was waiting for the answer
that Marjory said it rested with me whether or not the engagement was
to be broken. I told her that I should be able to state my position in
a couple of days. Well, the letter came. Perhaps you had better see
it. You can read it to yourself.'

He went to his desk, and searching among the papers, produced a
correspondence-form bearing an official stamp. He handed it to Selwyn.

'WASHINGTON, November 2, 1916.

'_Personal and Confidential_.

'MY DEAR VAN DERWATER,--As a boyhood friend of your father's I have
been most anxious to accede to your request for release from your
present duties. I may say that in my desire to do the fairest thing by
you, I went so far as to place the facts of the matter before the
President himself. He agreed with me that your services entitled you
to every possible consideration; but he also pointed out that the
intimate knowledge of our secret diplomacy which you have gained marks
you as too valuable a man t