"I'll be at the
Chateau for you at half-after-three; you can give me the details then. I
shall be delighted, Madeline, to compare your details with hers."

"I wonder!" said she.

"What do you wonder?" said he.

"Whether you are--well, no matter; we'll take it up this afternoon.
_Tout a l'heure, Monsieur Harleston_!"

He was turning once more toward the door, when the telephone rang again.

"Is that Mr. Harleston?" said Mrs. Clephane's lovely voice--and
Harleston's grin almost flowed into the transmitter.

"It is indeed!" he responded--then severely: "Where have you been, my
lady? You have given me a most horrible fright."

"I cry your pardon, my lord; I'll not transgress again," she laughed.
"And if you don't scold me I'll tell you something--something I'm sure
will be worth even a diplomat's hearing."

"Anything you would tell would be well worth any diplomat's hearing,"
said he; "only I shall always prefer to be the diplomat on duty when you
are doing the telling!"

"That's deliciously nice, Mr. Harleston; I--"

"Where are you now?" he demanded.

"At the Chateau--in my apartment. Anything more?"

"Nothing; except to pray you to be prudent and not do it again."

"I'll promise--until I see you." She lowered her voice--"Are you there,
Mr. Harleston?"

"I'm here--since I can't be with you there," he replied.

"Assuredly not! I'm not exactly in receiving attire. Meanwhile the
morning--and Madame Brunette's doings. Good-night, _Mon camarade_."

XIX

MARSTON

At nine o'clock the next morning, Marston tapped gently on the door of
Madeline Spencer's apartment, and was immediately admitted by the demure
maid; who greeted him with a smile, which he repaid with a kiss--several
of them, indeed--and an affectionate and pressing arm to her shapely and
slender waist.

"I suppose monsieur wants to see my mistress," said she.

"Now that I've seen you, yes, little one," Marston returned, with
another kiss.

"Have you seen me, monsieur?"

"Not half long enough, my love; but business before pleasure. There's
another now, so run along and do your devoir."

She fetched him a tiny slap across his cheek, for which she was caught
and made to suffer again; then she wriggled loose, and, with a flirty
backward kick at him, disappeared through the inner doorway.

In a moment she returned, dropped him a bit of curtsy, and informed him
that her mistress would receive him.

He rewarded her with another caress,