ost of those who are
well informed know that the traitor was one whom we trusted, a man
who in your day was on the side of the established government. That
man is now in high influence by reason of playing the Judas, and it
may be that he will make an effort to secure your extradition.
Embezzlement, you know, is not a political offense, and he still holds
a score against you. You know to whom I refer. That is why I warn you.
You have a double and your double has a clean record. For a time if
there is no danger of crossing tracks with him, I should advise that
you be Senor Saxon instead of Senor Carter. This should be safe enough
since Senor Saxon sailed on the day after his arrival for North
America. I have the felicity to inscribe myself," etc., etc. ---- A
dash served as a signature, but Carter knew the writing, and was
satisfied. For a time, he sat in deep reverie, then, rising, took up
his coat, and went to the door. His stride was precisely the stride of
Robert Saxon.

At the desk above, he discussed apartments. Having found one that
suited his taste, he signed the guest-card with the name of Robert
Saxon, and inquired as to the hour of departure of trains for Calais
on the following morning. He volunteered the information that he was
leaving then for London. True to his word, on the next day he left the
hotel in a taximeter cab which turned down the _Champs Elysees_.

* * * * *

When it was definitely settled that Duska and her aunt were to go to
Europe, Steele conceived a modification of the plans, to which only
after much argument and persuasion and even a touch of deception he
won the girl's consent. The object of his amendment was secretly to
give him a chance to arrive first on the scene, accomplish what he
could of search, and be prepared with fore-knowledge to stand as a
buffer between Duska and the first shock of any ill tidings. Despite
his persistent optimism of argument, the man was far from confident.
The plan was that the two ladies should embark for Genoa, and go from
there to Paris by rail, while he should economize days by hurrying
over the northern ocean track. Duska chafed at the delay involved, but
Steele found ingenious arguments. The tramp steamer, he declared, with
its roundabout course, would be slow, and it would be better for him
to be armed against their coming with such facts as he could gather,
in order that he might be a more effective guide.

Possib