ley admitted. "It is true, too,
that he comes of a very ancient Norfolk family. It doesn't do, however,
to build too much upon that. From all I can learn of him, he is a sort
of Puck, a professional mischief-maker. I don't suppose there's anything
an outsider could find out which would be really useful to us, but
all the same, if I had the time, I should certainly go down to Norfolk
myself."

The conversation drifted away for a while. Mutual acquaintances entered,
there were several introductions, and it was not until the two found
themselves together in Kinsley's rooms for a few minutes before parting
that they were alone again. Hamel returned then once more to the
subject.

"Reggie," he said, "if you think it would be of the slightest use, I'll
go down to Salthouse to-morrow. I am rather keen on going there, anyway.
I am absolutely fed up with life here already."

"It's just what I want you to do," Kinsley said. "I am afraid Fentolin
is a little too clever for you to get on the right side of him, but if
you could only get an idea as to what his game is down there, it would
be a great help. You see, the fellow can't have gone into all this sort
of thing blindfold. We've lost several very useful agents abroad and
two from New York who've gone into his pay. There must be a method in
it somewhere. If it really ends with his financial operations--why,
all right. That's very likely what it'll come to, but we should like to
know. The merest hint would be useful."

"I'll do my best," Hamel promised. "In any case, it will be just the few
days' holiday I was looking forward to."

Kinsley helped himself to whisky and soda and turned towards his friend.

"Here's luck to you, Dick! Take care of yourself. All sorts of things
may happen, you know. Old man Fentolin may take a fancy to you and tell
you secrets that any statesman in Europe would be glad to hear. He may
tell you why this conference is being held and what the result will be.
You may be the first to hear of our coming fall. Well, here's to you,
anyway! Drop me a line, if you've anything to report."

"Cheero!" Hamel answered, as he set down his empty tumbler. "Astonishing
how keen I feel about this little adventure. I'm perfectly sick of the
humdrum life I have been leading the last week, and you do sort of take
one back to the Arabian Nights, you know, Reggie. I am never quite sure
whether to take you seriously or not."

Kinsley smiled as he held his friend's han