into her face reassured him.

"I am content," he said, and left them.

She turned to Domiloff.

"Baron," she said, "if you do not let Mr. Brand pass unhurt our
compact is at an end."

He held up his hands in eager expostulation.

"I wish your friend no harm, Countess," he declared, "but believe me,
his reports are doing us every possible injury. Besides, he will carry
word of this to the King. It is impossible to let him go. I will
withdraw my men if you like, while you reason with him. It is his
silence only we require."

She turned to Brand.

"You hear?"

He nodded.

"My silence," he answered, "is not to be bought. The King is my
friend, and his cause is mine. Apart from that it is my duty as an
honest man to upset the scheming of such rogues as that," he pointed
to Domiloff. "In two minutes, Countess, I shall leave this room--dead
or alive."

Domiloff was very pale, but he remained calm. Marie left him and
placed her hands in Brand's. She looked up into his face fondly.

"You are quite right," she said. "I honour you for your words."

Then she turned to Domiloff.

"Listen," she said. "You will permit Mr. Brand to pass uninjured, or I
shall go at once to Nicholas, and tell him not only all that I know,
but what I suspect. You understand me! I shall tell him--the whole
truth. I go also to the King, and I tell him--the whole truth. I go
also to the House of Laws, I anticipate your proclamation to them, and
I announce--the whole truth. These are not empty threats. I swear to
you that I will do these things."

Domiloff regarded her thoughtfully. His expression was inscrutable.

"You will not risk the success of all our plans," he said, slowly.
"You will even sacrifice your country that this man may go safely. You
are serious? It is in your mind that you are the Countess Marie of
Reist, and he--the paid writer in an English newspaper. Forgive me
that I speak of this. It is incredible."

"It is nevertheless true," she answered, firmly. "Your answer."

He bowed low.

"Mr. Walter Brand," he said, "is fortunate. He is welcome to depart."

"Wait!"

She crossed the room, and from a cedar box on the mantelshelf drew out
a small shining revolver. She stood facing Domiloff.

"My friend," she said, "so I shall remain until Mr. Brand has left the
house and waves to me from the street below. And if there is treachery
I give you my word that I shall fire. You have seen me use a
revolver. You know that this