thing happened. A cream puff was served to the Baroness by
way of sweets, and Nella was astonished to see the little lady remove
the top, and with a spoon quietly take something from the interior which
looked like a piece of folded paper. No one who had not been watching
with the eye of a lynx would have noticed anything extraordinary in the
action; indeed, the chances were nine hundred and ninety-nine to one
that it would pass unheeded. But, unfortunately for the Baroness, it was
the thousandth chance that happened. Nella jumped up, and walking over
to the Baroness, said to her:

'I'm afraid that the tart is not quite nice, your ladyship.'

'Thanks, it is delightful,' said the Baroness coldly; her smile had
vanished. 'Who are you? I thought you were de bureau clerk.'

'My father is the owner of this hotel. I thought there was something in
the tart which ought not to have been there.'

Nella looked the Baroness full in the face. The piece of folded paper,
to which a little cream had attached itself, lay under the edge of a
plate.

'No, thanks.' The Baroness smiled her simple smile.

Nella departed. She had noticed one trifling thing besides the
paper--namely, that the Baroness could pronounce the English 'th' sound
if she chose.

That afternoon, in her own room, Nella sat meditating at the window for
long time, and then she suddenly sprang up, her eyes brightening.

'I know,' she exclaimed, clapping her hands. 'It's Miss Spencer,
disguised!

Why didn't I think of that before?' Her thoughts ran instantly to Prince
Aribert. 'Perhaps I can help him,' she said to herself, and gave a
little sigh. She went down to the office and inquired whether the
Baroness had given any instructions about dinner. She felt that some
plan must be formulated. She wanted to get hold of Rocco, and put him in
the rack. She knew now that Rocco, the unequalled, was also concerned in
this mysterious affair.

'The Baroness Zerlinski has left, about a quarter of an hour ago,' said
the attendant.

'But she only arrived this morning.'

'The Baroness's maid said that her mistress had received a telegram
and must leave at once. The Baroness paid the bill, and went away in a
four-wheeler.'

'Where to? 'The trunks were labelled for Ostend.'

Perhaps it was instinct, perhaps it was the mere spirit of adventure;
but that evening Nella was to be seen of all men on the steamer
for Ostend which leaves Dover at 11 p.m. She told no one of her
i