eir servants meet them with a hail of lead. It's really
childishly ridiculous, isn't it? when you stop to consider it
seriously."

She leaned her elbows upon the desk, and sat with chin in her hands,
looking squarely into the eyes of the President.

"So you, the head of this great nation, confess to utter helplessness,"
she slowly said. "But you don't have to."

A servant entered at that moment with a card. The President glanced at
it, and bade him request the caller to wait a few moments. Then, after
some reflection:

"The people will always--"

The door through which the servant had passed was abruptly thrown
open, and a harsh voice preceded the entrance of a huge bulk.

"I am not accustomed to being told to wait, Mr. President," said the
ungracious voice. "My appointment was for ten o'clock, and I am here
to keep it."

Then the newcomer stopped abruptly, and stared in amazement at the
young girl, sitting with her elbows propped upon the desk, and her
face close to that of the President.

The latter rose, flushed and angry. But Ames did not notice him. His
attention was centered upon the girl who sat looking calmly up at him.
A dark, menacing scowl drew his bushy eyebrows together, and made the
sinister look which mantled his face one of ominous import to the
person upon whom it fell.

Carmen was the first to break the tense silence. With a bright smile
illuming her face she rose and held out a hand to the giant before
her. "Good morning, Mr. Ames," she said. "We meet pretty often, don't
we?"

Ames ignored both the greeting and the extended hand. Turning upon the
President, he said sharply: "So, the Express seeks aid in the White
House, eh?"

"No, Mr. Ames," said Carmen quickly, answering for the President. "It
seeks to aid the White House."

Ames turned to the girl. "Might I ask," he said in a tone of mordant
sarcasm, "how you learned that I was to be here this morning? I would
like to employ your methods of espionage in my own business."

"I would give anything if you _would_ employ my methods in your
business," returned the girl gently.

The President looked in embarrassment from one to the other. "I think,
Miss Carmen," he said, "that we must consider our interview ended.
This next hour belongs by appointment to Mr. Ames."

A peculiar expression had come into Ames's features. His thought had
been working rapidly. Here was an opportunity for a telling stroke. He
would play it. His manner sudden