board; one of our
conferences has been overheard--perhaps both of them," and he told of
the assault upon Schroeder. "Then again, we must not be seen too much
together. I might be recognised; and you are already suspected of having
caused the destruction of _La Liberte_."

"How can that be?" Vard demanded, in a tone which showed that he was
genuinely startled.

For answer, Pachmann took from his pocket-book a paper, unfolded it and
handed it to Vard. It was the wireless from Lepine.

"That was received last Thursday," he said. "I suppose you know who
Lepine is. By great good fortune, I intercepted it, and sent an answer
denying that you were on board. It was for that reason you were removed
to the first-class and your name kept off the passenger list. But how
can he have suspected you?"

Vard shook his head slowly. He was a little pale, and the hand which
held the message trembled.

"I cannot guess," he said.

"You have told no one?"

"Told!" flashed Vard. "Do you not see that, unless my great plan
succeeds, that action will have been an infamous one? To kill three
hundred men in order to assure peace to the world--that may be
justified--that may even be heroic; but to kill them wantonly, to kill
them and then to fail--that would drive me mad!" He looked at Pachmann,
his eyes suddenly inflamed. "And let me tell you this," he added, in a
voice of concentrated passion, "if I find that you have deceived me, if
I find that you have betrayed me, Germany shall suffer a reprisal that
will make you shudder! I swear it!"

Pachmann's eyes were also suffused. In that moment, he literally saw
red.

"You threaten!" he cried hoarsely. "You dare to threaten!"

"I warn!" said Vard. "And you will do well to heed the warning! You are
playing with fire--take care that it does not consume you!"

Pachmann conquered his emotion by a supreme effort.

"It is foolish to talk in that way," he said. "It is foolish to speak of
deception and betrayal. There is no question of either. But we must move
cautiously. We must evade these spies. Even you can see that!"

"Here is my last word," said Vard, more calmly. "We shall reach New York
on Tuesday. I will await your answer for twenty-four hours after we have
landed. If I have not then received it, I shall consider myself free to
act as I think best."

A gleam of triumph flashed in Pachmann's eyes.

"I accept your condition," he said, and with a little ironical bow, rose
and left th