for me,
for by disposition I am over-modest."

But they were not destined to fence that night, for on their way across
the hall the Duke's own servant intercepted them.

"Monsieur le Duc," he announced, "desires to speak with Monsieur in the
library."

Henri let go his friend's arm.

"I return to the terrace, _mon ami_," he said. "You can fetch me when
my respected uncle has finished with you."

Monsieur le Duc and Monsieur Grisson were still together. Immediately
the door was closed the former turned to Guy.

"Your luggage has been thoroughly searched," he announced, "by a trusty
agent. The letter of credit is still there, but the paper of which you
spoke is missing."

Guy looked a little incredulous.

"I know it was there the evening I left the hotel," he answered. "It was
fastened to my letter of credit by an elastic band. The man you sent
must have missed it."

The Duke shook his head.

"That," he said, "is impossible. The paper has been abstracted."

"But who could have known about it?" Guy protested.

"Monsieur Poynton," the Duke said, "we think it well--Monsieur Grisson
and I--to take you a little further into our confidence. Has it occurred
to you, I wonder, to appreciate the significance of what you saw on the
railway in the forest of Pozen?"

"I'm afraid--not altogether," Guy answered.

"We assumed as much," the Duke said. "What you did see was this. You saw
a meeting between the German Emperor and the Czar of Russia. It was
marvellously well arranged, and except those interested you were
probably the only witness. According to the newspapers they were never
less than four hundred miles apart, but on the day in question the
Emperor was reported to be confined to his room by a slight chill, and
the Czar to be resting after a fatiguing journey. You understand that
this meeting was meant to be kept a profound secret?"

Guy nodded.

"But why?" he asked. "Was there any special reason why they should not
meet?"

"My young friend," the Duke answered gravely, "this meeting of which you
were the only witness might, but for your chance presence there, have
altered the destiny of Europe. Try how you will you cannot appreciate
its far-reaching possibilities. I will endeavor to give you the bare
outlines of the affair. Even you, I suppose, have observed or heard of
the growing friendship between my country and yours, which has
culminated in what is called the _entente cordiale_."

"Yes, I know as