l when you
are in a hole and losing."

A knock came at the door. Harleston crossed and swung it open.

A young man--presumably a business man, quietly-dressed--stood at
attention and saluted. If he saw the bound man in the chair, his eyes
never showed it.

"Ah, Whiteside," Harleston remarked. "I'm glad it is you who was sent.
Come in.... You will remain here and guard this man; you will prevent
any attempt at escape or rescue, even though you are obliged to use the
utmost force. I'm for down-town now; and I will communicate with you at
the earliest moment. Meanwhile, the man is in your charge."

"Yes, Mr. Harleston!" Whiteside answered.

"I want some breakfast!" snapped Crenshaw.

"The officer will order from the cafe whatever you wish," Harleston
replied; and picking up his stick he departed, the letter and the
photograph in the sealed envelope in his inside pocket.

As he went out, he smiled pleasantly at Crenshaw.

V

ANOTHER WOMAN

Harleston walked down Sixteenth Street--the Avenue of the Presidents, if
you have time either to say it or write it. The Secretary of State
resided on it, and, as chance had it, he was descending the front steps
as Harleston came along.

Now the Secretary was duly impressed with all the dignity of his
official position, and he rarely failed to pull it on the ordinary
individual--cockey would be about the proper term. In Harleston,
however, he recognized an unusual personage; one to whom the Department
was wont to turn when all others had failed in its diplomatic problems;
who had some wealth and an absolutely secure social position; who
accepted no pecuniary recompense for his service, doing it all for pure
amusement, and because his government requested it.

"It's too fine a day to ride to the Department," said the Secretary.
"It's much too fine, really, to go anywhere except to the Rataplan and
play golf."

Harleston agreed.

"I'll take you on at four o'clock," the Secretary suggested.

"If that is not a command," said Harleston, "I should like first to
consult you about a matter which arose last night, or rather early this
morning. I was bound for your office now. I can, however, give you the
main facts as we go along."

"Proceed!" said the Secretary. "I'm all attention."

"It may be of grave importance and it may be of very little--"

"What do you think it is?"

"I think it is of first importance, judging from known facts. If
Carpenter can translate t