friend, that I may carry it with me, and on
some occasion which is not yet, that I may toast your health."

"My name," said the old man, "is T. B. Smith, and I shall take you into
custody on a charge of attempting to extort money by blackmail."

Poltavo sprang back, his face ashen. One hand dived for his
pistol-pocket, but before he could reach it T. B. was at his throat.
That moment the Pole felt two arms gripping him, two steel bands they
seemed, and likely to crush his arms into his very body. Then he went
over with the full weight of the detective upon him, and was momentarily
stunned by the shock. He came to himself rapidly, but not quickly
enough. He was conscious of something cold about his wrists, and a none
too kindly hand dragged him to his feet. T. B. with his white beard all
awry was a comical figure, but Poltavo had no sense of humour at that
moment.

"I think I have you at last, my friend," said T. B. pleasantly. He was
busy removing his disguise and wiping his face clean of the grease
paint, which had been necessary, with a handkerchief which was already
grimy with his exertions.

"You will have some difficulty in proving anything against me," said the
other defiantly; "there is only you and I, and my word is as good as
yours. As to the Duke of Ambury----"

T. B. laughed, a long chuckling laugh of delight.

"My poor man," he said pityingly, "there is no Duke of Ambury. I
depended somewhat upon your ignorance of English nobility, but I confess
that I did not think you would fall so quickly to the bait. The Dukedom
of Ambury ceased to exist two hundred years ago. It is one of those
titles which have fallen into disuse. Ambury Castle, from which the
letters were addressed to you, is a small suburban villa on the
outskirts of Bolton, the rent of which," he said carefully, "is, I
believe, some forty pounds a year. We English have a greater imagination
than you credit us with, Count," he went on, "and imagination takes no
more common flight than the namings of the small dwellings of our
humble fellow-citizens."

He took his prisoner by the arm and led him across the downs.

"What are you going to do with me?" asked Poltavo.

"I shall first of all take you to Great Bradley police station, and then
I shall convey you to London," said T. B. "I have three warrants for
you, including an extradition warrant issued on behalf of the Russian
Government, but I think they may have to wait a little while before