equired the individual most concerned to prove his loyalty at
such times.

Colendorp continued to gaze at Unziar.

'We are much obliged to you, Adolf,' he said courteously; 'but in
compliment to his comrades I feel sure that Unziar will hardly wish to
allow any other to undertake this special matter.'

Adolf would have spoken again, but Unziar stopped him.

'As a personal favour, Adolf, leave it to me,' he said.

Adiron, who had thus far taken no part in the discussion, now struck in.

'But remember, Unziar, that you must act with caution. For obvious
reasons there must be no apparent design. The dispute, whatever it may
turn upon, must appear to come about naturally. Above all, it must not
take place here.'

'Precautions from Adiron!' remarked Colendorp with a thin smile. 'The
affair becomes serious indeed!'

'We cannot afford to offend England while Elmur is at work in this
country. She is at this moment our very good friend,' Adiron observed
apologetically. 'There will be many public occasions--at the Palace
ball, for example.'

'You may trust me to keep up appearances,' said Unziar. 'Then it is
understood that I arrange the affair of Captain Rallywood at the Palace
ball if possible. The matter may safely be left in my hands.'

Once more the folding doors were thrown back, and between the crimson
portieres appeared the face of Colonel Wallenloup, charged with a
strange expression. He advanced a step or two into the room, then turned
to introduce a man behind him.

'Captain Rallywood, gentlemen,' he said.

CHAPTER IV.

DANGER SIGNALS.

A week later Rallywood returned from the frontier to take up his
appointment in the Guard. Advised by a note from Wallenloup that his
quarters were not yet in readiness for him at the Palace, he drove
direct to the Continental on his arrival in Revonde.

Here presently Counsellor dropped in upon him. Rallywood was in his
dressing-room, transforming himself as rapidly as possible into the
likeness of an English gamekeeper; for a magnificent festivity in the
shape of a masked ball was about to take place at the Palace. All the
world had been invited, and as many of the world as could go were going,
each with his or her own dream or purpose, as the case might be.

Major Counsellor sat and surveyed his friend, occasionally offering
suggestions and remarks.

'Are you aware that the Guard of Maasau never condescends to show itself
in Revonde in any costume but it