station-master answered. "We have not an
engine built which would come within ten miles an hour of that one."

"Very good," Feurgeres said. "I will have the special, at any rate. Be
so good as to give your orders at once."

"You will gain nothing if you want to get on, sir," the station-master
remarked. "An ordinary train will leave here in two hours, which will
catch the next boat."

"The special in twenty minutes," Feurgeres answered sharply. "Forty
pounds, is it not? It is here!"

The station-master hurried away. I scarcely understood Feurgeres' haste
to reach Dover. When I told him so he only laughed and led me away
towards the refreshment-room. He ordered luncheon baskets to be sent out
to the train, and he made me drink a brandy-and-soda. Then he took me by
the arm.

"You are not much of a conspirator, my friend, Arnold Greatson," he
said. "You have been within a dozen yards of Isobel within the last few
minutes, and you have not recognized her."

I stopped short. That wonderful likeness flashed once more back upon my
mind. Certainly in the Mordaunt Rooms it had not been so noticeable. And
her eyes! I looked at Feurgeres, and he nodded.

"The Princess Adelaide either remains in England or has gone on quietly
ahead," he said. "They have dressed Isobel in her clothes, and the
general public could never tell the difference. You see how difficult
they have made it for us to approach her. They will be hedged around
like this all across the Continent. Oh, it was a very clever move!"

I scarcely answered him. My eyes were fixed upon the tangled wilderness
of red and green lights, amongst which that train had disappeared. What
had they done to her, these people, that she should scarcely have been
able to crawl across the platform? What had they done to make her accept
their bidding, and leave England without a word or message to any of us?
It had not been of her own choice, I was sure enough of that.

"Come!" Feurgeres said quietly.

I followed him to the platform, where the saloon carriage and engine
were already drawn up. Feurgeres brought with him his servant and all
his luggage. A few curious porters and bystanders saw us start. No one,
however, manifested any particular interest in us. There was no one
whose business it seemed to be to watch us.

I sat back in my corner and looked out into the darkness. Feurgeres,
opposite to me, was leaning back with half-closed eyes. From his soft,
regular breathing i