e blankly if I meant that Mrs. Spencer was in his employ. He
chose the former.

"It is very difficult to associate such a beautiful woman with the
_demi-monde_," he said.

"Yet, Saint Anthony would stand no chance with her."

He looked at me with an amused smile.

"I assume you lay no claims to even ordinary saintship?"

"None, whatever, my dear Duke."

"Possibly, you avoided situations which might put you to the test?"

"Possibly," I laughed.

"You are more of a Saint than you imagine," he answered.

I shook my head.

"Colonel Spencer was my friend," I said.

"And his wife--and widow would have been--yours--and you would not;
_n'est ce pas_?"

I smiled.

"So, that's the motive for it, is it. 'Hell hath no fury like a woman
scorned,'" he quoted. It was meant as a question, however.

I appeared to hesitate.

"Revenge, sometimes, does take queer forms," I said tentatively.

"And you, too, think this is revenge?" he asked.

"What other motive could she have?" I answered.

He closed his eyes, a moment; lest, I suppose, his amused contempt
would shine out so plainly that even stupid I would see it. He was
sure, now, he had been right in deeming me too heavy-witted to suspect
him.

"It might be blackmail," he suggested.

"Then, she is a very long time in naming her price," I replied.

"True; but, maybe, she is enjoying Dornlitz," he laughed.

I laughed, too.

"It's none of my business, of course, Armand," he went on, "but, why
don't you run her out of the Kingdom, instead of keeping her in by
force."

"I'm waiting for her to get tired of the game and quit."

He thought a bit.

"Maybe, I can help you," he said.

I had not Lotzen's gift of imperturbability but I did my best not to
show my surprise.

"You are very kind," I answered; "though I don't see what you can do."

"I may take it you have no particular--regard for the lady?" he asked.

"Indeed, you may!"

"So you would have no objection to someone making a--try at her?"

"None whatever, I assure you. As many someones and as many tries as
you wish--and may they all win."

"Now, you're a trifle too generous," said he. "I've taken rather a shy
at her myself and--you understand?"

I thought I did--but not as he meant me to. What he wanted was liberty
to communicate, at will, directly with the lady, without arousing
suspicion or seeming to side against me.

I shut one eye, and looked at him as though in sly comprehension.