equally cool. He
answered the question snapped at him as if it had been the most
natural in the world.

"Well, sir, that depends. The salary varies according to
circumstances. And there are allowances, travelling, sir, and
subsistence, sometimes."

"Average?" said Donovan, "average net profit?"

Smith thought for a minute before answering. He was apparently anxious
to be accurate and honest.

"I think, sir, I may say L200 a year, taking one thing with another."

"Well," said Donovan, "I'll double that, in addition to what I'm
paying you at present; on condition that you're in my service only. As
I said before, Smith, you're a valuable man."

"Thank you, sir," said Smith. "Very generous of you. I appreciate the
offer, but----"

He paused. He had some objection to make, but he hesitated to put it
into words.

"I treble the Emperor's two hundred pounds," said Donovan.

"I beg pardon, sir. I wasn't meaning to stand out for a larger
salary. That's not my point, sir. What I was going to say, sir,
was----"

Again he hesitated.

"Patriotic scruples?" said Donovan. "Loyal to the Emperor? Feel kind
of mean deserting the service of your country?"

"Oh no, sir, not at all. Scruples aren't in my line, sir, and I am
Swiss by birth. No particular feeling of loyalty to anybody. The fact
is, sir, a man must keep his self-respect. I daresay you'll
understand. I had no objection to taking on a valet's job, sir, in the
way of business, as an agent of the Intelligence Department. But it's
rather a different thing, sir--if you catch my point--to enter
domestic service as a profession. A man doesn't like to lose caste,
sir."

"That's a real difficulty," said Donovan. "As an American citizen I
understand your feeling and respect it. See any way out?"

"It occurs to me, sir--it's for you to decide, of course. But it
occurs to me that if I might enter the Intelligence Department of
Salissa, there'd be no interference with my work in the palace.
Anything I could do to make you comfortable. But as agent of the
Queen's Secret Service I should be----I hope you catch my point, sir.
You see I held a commission at one time in the Megalian Army."

"You may consider yourself engaged, Smith," said Donovan, "or perhaps
I ought to say nominated, as head of the Intelligence Department of
the Kingdom of Salissa."

"Thank you, sir. When would you like me to take over my new duties?"

"You can begin right now," said Donovan.

"Very goo