tuation were it not that something of importance has occurred----"

"It has, Countess Strahni," he said gravely, then paused. "I beg that
you will believe me."

She sank into a chair and motioned for him to be seated, but he remained
standing, his eyes studying the fine line of her neck and shoulder as
she bent forward, her gaze upon the rug. There was something almost
childish in her imperiousness. He wanted to take her in his arms and
hold her there as he would have done a spoiled child, and trust the
issue to his strength and her weakness, but the quick tap of her
slippered toe upon the carpet warned him that his mission was delicate.

"Proceed, if you please," she said after a moment.

"You may not know, but a few days after my return from Konopisht, my
connection with the British Embassy ceased----"

"I have heard," she broke in quickly, in a suppressed tone; "I am
sorry."

"But my interests in the political aspect of affairs were so great that
I could not leave Vienna."

"At least I am not to blame for the actions of the ministry."

"Naturally. I suppose I might attribute all my misfortunes to the roses
of Konopisht," he said.

She glanced up at him quickly and a little scornfully, but she swallowed
nervously and her toe accelerated its tapping upon the rug.

"I beg that you will come to the point of your visit," she said quickly.

"I will," he went on easily. "The possession of State secrets has given
me an interest in Austrian affairs which has created a pardonable
curiosity. Fortune has favored my investigations and I have learned much
here in Vienna. I have learned more in Belgrade--and in Sarajevo."

She glanced up quickly.

"Sarajevo! Why?"

"You will remember that the Archduke spoke of going there to see the
maneuvers of his troops on the twenty-eighth of this month."

"Yes." Her eyes stared at him widely now. "But what----?"

She paused uncertainly, expecting him to go on. Instead he waited a
moment as though seeking his words carefully.

"The Archduke plans to take the Duchess of Hohenberg to Sarajevo with
him. I came here to tell you that if she goes she will be in great
danger----"

"Danger!"

"Yes. There is a plot against the life of the Archduke. I thought that
as a lifelong friend, you would like to know----"

"Assassination! Holy Virgin! Not that!"

She had started up from her chair and faced him, trembling violently.

"I swear to you," he said soberly, "that I have every