e in."

Sir Lyster nodded his approval of her action. "You did quite right,
Miss----"

"West," said Dorothy.

"Miss West," continued Sir Lyster. "There are occasions when----" He
hesitated for a word.

"John Dene's methods are best," suggested Sir Bridgman.

Sir Lyster smiled; but there was no answering smile in Dorothy's eyes.

"What do you think has happened?" she asked, looking from one to the
other.

"It's impossible to say," began Sir Lyster, "it's--it's----"

"Spies," she said with a catch in her voice. "I'm sure of it. They've
drugged him. They tried to poison our food."

"Poison your food," repeated Sir Lyster uncomprehendingly.

"Yes," said Dorothy, and she proceeded to tell how it came about that
the luncheon and dinners were supplied from an anonymous source.

"That's Walton," said Admiral Heyworth, and the other nodded.

For a few minutes they sat in silence, all waiting for the arrival of
Colonel Walton. When the telephone bell rang, Sir Lyster started
perceptibly. Taking up the receiver from the instrument he listened
for a few seconds.

"Show him in," he said; then, turning to the others, he explained:
"Walton is out; but Sage is here."

"Good," said Sir Bridgman, "sometimes Jack is better than his master."

Sir Lyster looked at him meaningly, and then at Dorothy.

With perfect self-possession Malcolm Sage entered, gave a short, jerky
bow, and without invitation drew a chair up opposite to where Dorothy
was sitting. For a moment he gazed at her and saw the anxiety in her
eyes.

"Don't be alarmed," he said quietly, "the situation is well in hand."
There was the ghost of a smile about the corners of his mouth.

"Is he safe?" enquired Dorothy, leaning forward, whilst the three men
looked at Sage as if not quite sure of his sanity.

"I can only repeat what I have said," replied Sage, "the situation is
well in hand."

"But how the devil----" began Sir Bridgman.

"I should like to ask Miss West a few questions," said Sage.

Sir Bridgman subsided.

"Why did you come here?" he asked, turning to Dorothy.

"Mr. Dene didn't come this morning. I waited until past two, then I
rang up the Ritzton," she paused.

"Go on," said Sage.

"They told me he had not been back since yesterday morning."

"And then?" enquired Sage.

"I rang up Mr. Blair. He had heard nothing, so I thought I had better
come round and--and--I'm afraid I burst in here very rudely. Mr.
Blair----"

"You