re sleeping suit and a pair of
slippers. I was not at all sure that I was disposed to like the man,
but I had to admit that his thoroughness and his consideration for my
comfort were highly praiseworthy. In fact, I told him so frankly, and
we parted for the night on friendly terms.

Tiel quietly descended the stairs, while I sat down before my fire and
smoked a last cigarette, and then very gratefully turned into my
comfortable bed.

III.

THE PLAN.

I slept like a log, and only awakened when Tiel came into my room next
morning, bringing my breakfast on a tray. He had sent the servant over
to the farm for milk, he explained, and while I ate he sat down beside
my bed.

"Can you talk business now?" I asked.

"This afternoon," said he.

I made a grimace.

"I naturally don't want to waste my time," I observed.

"You won't," he assured me.

"But why this afternoon rather than this morning? You can send the
servant out for a message whenever you choose."

"I hope to have a pleasant little surprise for you in the afternoon."

I was aware of the fondness of these secret-service agents for a bit of
mystery, and I knew I had to humour him. But really it seems a
childish kind of vanity.

"There is one thing you can do for me," I said. "If I am to kick up my
heels in this room all day--and probably for several days--I must have
a pen and ink and some foolscap."

After his fashion he asked no questions but merely nodded, and
presently brought them.

The truth was, I had conceived the idea of writing some account of my
adventure, and in fact I am writing these lines now in that very
bedroom I have described. I am telling a story of which I don't know
the last chapter myself. A curious position for an author! If I am
caught--well, it will make no difference. I have given nothing away
that won't inevitably be discovered if I am arrested. And, mein Gott,
what a relief it has been! I should have died of boredom otherwise.

If only my window looked out to sea! But, unluckily, I am at the back
of the house and look, as it were sideways, on to a sloping hillside of
green ferns below and brown heather at the top. By opening the window
and putting my head right out, I suppose I should catch a glimpse of
the sea, but then my neighbours would catch a glimpse of me. I
expostulated with Tiel as soon as I realised how the room faced, but he
points out that the servant may go into any room in the front par