te. The chasm is too deep."

The old minister sighed deeply. His fingers touched the despatch box as
though by habit. It represented power, majesty and the iron game of
government. The young man watched him eagerly.

The heavy, tremulous hands of Count von Stroebel passed back and forth
over the box caressingly. Suddenly he bent forward and spoke with a new
and gentler tone and manner.

"I have given my life, my whole life, as you have said, to one
service--to uphold one idea. You have spoken of that work with contempt.
History, I believe, will reckon it justly."

"Your place is secure--no one can gainsay that," broke in Armitage.

"If you would do something for me--for me--do something for Austria, do
something for my country and yours! You have wits; I dare say you have
courage. I don't care what that service may be; I don't care where or how
you perform it. I am not so near gone as you may think. I know well
enough that they are waiting for me to die; but I am in no hurry to
afford my enemies that pleasure. But stop this babble of yours about
democracy. _Do something for Austria_--for the Empire that I have held
here under my hand these difficult years--then take your name again--and
you will find that kings can be as just and wise as mobs."

"For the Empire--something for the Empire?" murmured the young man,
wondering.

Count Ferdinand von Stroebel rose.

"You will accept the commission--I am quite sure you will accept. I leave
on an early train, and I shall not see you again." As he took Armitage's
hand he scrutinized him once more with particular care; there was a
lingering caress in his touch as he detained the young man for an
instant; then he sighed heavily.

"Good night; good-by!" he said abruptly, and waved his caller toward the
door.

CHAPTER II

THE CLAIBORNES, OF WASHINGTON

--the Englishman who is not an Englishman and therefore doubly
incomprehensible.--_The Naulahka_.

The girl with the white-plumed hat started and flushed slightly, and her
brother glanced over his shoulder toward the restaurant door to see what
had attracted her attention.

"'Tis he, the unknown, Dick."

"I must say I like his persistence!" exclaimed the young fellow, turning
again to the table. "In America I should call him out and punch his head,
but over here--"

"Over here you have better manners," replied the girl, laughing. "But why
trouble yourself? He doesn't even look at us. We are of no importance