sals could be sufficiently delayed as
to seem to hang fire, he might still be able to persuade his master to
enter into some provisional arrangement with Germany.

'You have not any definite news for me, after all,' Elmur remarked at
the end of ten minutes. 'I begin to believe the Count's declaration that
his Highness can only be driven into a reasonable treaty with us by----'
he stopped and sketched rapidly on the paper before him, 'by--in
fact--the flat of the sword, shall we say?'

Selpdorf turned a look on his companion.

'Could you trust Count Simon to put any man, and most of all the one
upon whose property he has a reversionary claim, in fear of death? And
further trust him not to put the threat into execution if provoked by
failure?'

Elmur shrugged his shoulders.

'We should have Duke Simon to deal with in that case, instead of Duke
Gustave.'

M. Selpdorf's round forehead wrinkled slightly. He was apprehensive of
this new temper in Elmur. The Chancellor was too clever to be quite
honest, and too honest to be quite unflinching. A man, in fact, a little
weaker and a little stronger than his fellows. 'Then the Count's methods
still commend themselves to you, the miscarriage of the plan of Sagan
notwithstanding?' he asked with an invidious smile.

'If his Highness can be brought into a complacent frame of mind as
regards our project to-day, and before the English proposals are laid
before him, I think we shall not need the methods of the Count,' Elmur
answered. 'Count Simon has undertaken to help us on the Frontier. Major
Counsellor will be detained under some pretext at Kofn Ford block-house,
and later you, Monsieur, who have so consummate a skill in covering the
mistakes of other people, will set this mistake right by a graceful
apology. The fat Major will arrive in Revonde behind time--that is all.
In the meanwhile, his despatches will be forwarded to you if you will
select a safe person to meet the Count's messenger beyond the river.
Later you can return them to Major Counsellor and score a point by the
act.'

Selpdorf made no comment, but changed the subject. 'I have had a little
talk with my daughter.'

Elmur laid down his pen and his impassive air became more marked than
ever.

'Am I then to have the pleasure of an interview with Mademoiselle
to-day?' he inquired. 'I hope she exonerates me from any blame in
connection with the announcement made at Sagan?'

'Entirely. But she is inclined to ins