ather smart in his borrowed
plumage. The intimacy of their new situation did not frighten her, for
she thought that already she had read enough of her companion's
character to know that at least so far she was on safe ground. She gave
him permission to smoke without his asking it, and this, it seemed, made
for the beginnings of a new informality in their relations.

"There isn't the slightest reason," she said with a smile, "that you
should be uncomfortable. Since you are doomed for the present to share
my imprisonment----"

"Doomed?" he exclaimed civilly. "You may be sure that I don't look upon
such a doom with unhappiness, Countess. Are you very tired?"

"A little. I shall sleep presently."

"Do you know," he said as he thoughtfully inhaled his cigarette, "for
the first time in my rather variegated career, I find myself in a false
position."

"Really! How?"

"I will explain. I have had much dealing to do with women--with women
of a certain sort. It is a part of my trade. Were you unscrupulous,
intriguing, you would meet your match. As it is you have me at a
disadvantage."

"I?"

"I have felt it--from the first. Even a secret agent has eyes,
dimensions, senses. I am a little abashed as if in the presence of
phenomena. Your helplessness and innocence, your loyalty and
unselfishness--you must be sure that I am not unaware of them."

Marishka laughed easily.

"You restore my faith in human kind, Captain Goritz. You'll admit that
your attitude toward me has been far from reassuring."

"Countess, I beg of you----"

"The alternative to disobeying your wishes--destruction--death!" she
went on, shuddering prettily.

"I am merely a cog in the great wheel of efficiency. I spoke
figuratively----"

"But of course you know," she broke in quickly, with another laugh,
"that I didn't believe you. I haven't really been frightened at all. How
_could_ I be? You're not in the least alarming. To face the alternative
you imposed would take courage. I am easily frightened at a mouse. The
deduction is obvious----"

He laughed and then said soberly, "It is far from my wish to frighten
you. That kind of brutality has its justification, but this is not the
occasion, nor you the woman."

"I was sure of it. If I hadn't been I shouldn't have come with you."

"Ah!" Goritz straightened and stared at her. "But--your promise----"

"I should have broken that and asked the first _gendarme_ in the
Ringstrasse to take me home. You