ndeed, he already has good cause to remember me in
England, where he acted as a spy of Germany," I remarked. "He is always
impressionable where the fair sex is concerned, and you will, I feel
confident, quickly be successful if you lived for a few days at the
'Kaiserhof' as Vera Yermoloff."

She was silent, apparently reflecting deeply.

"I am prepared, of course, to offer you a monetary consideration," I
added in a low voice.

"No monetary consideration is needed, m'sieur," was her quick response.
"In return for the fraud I practised upon you, it is only just that I
should render you this service. Yet without Banfield's knowledge it
would be utterly impossible."

"Why?"

"Because I dare not leave Paris without his permission."

"Then you must go with his knowledge--make up some story--a relative ill
or something--to account for your journey to Berlin."

She seemed undecided. Therefore I repeated my suggestion, well knowing
that the sweet-faced girl could, if she wished, obtain for us the
knowledge which would place power in the hands of Great Britain--power
to upset the machinations of our enemies.

Mine was becoming a profession full of subterfuge.

Her breast heaved and fell in a long-drawn sigh. I saw that she was
wavering.

She sipped her tea in silence, her eyes fixed upon the shady trees
opposite.

"Suzette," I exclaimed at last, "your lover's name is Armand Thomas,
clerk at the head office of the Compte d'Escompte. He believes you to be
the niece of the rich American, Henry Banfield, little dreaming of your
real position."

"How do you know that?"

I smiled, telling her that I had made it my business to discover the
facts.

"You love him?" I asked, looking her straight in the face.

"Yes," was her serious response.

"And you have kept this love affair secret from Banfield?"

"Of course. If he knew the truth he would be enraged. He has always
forbidden me to fall in love."

"Because he fears that your lover may act as your protector and shield
you from his evil influence," I remarked. "Well, Suzette," I added, "you
are a very clever girl. If you are successful on this mission I will, I
promise, find a means of uniting you with your lover."

She shook her head sadly, replying:

"Remember Banfield's threat. Disobedience of any of his commands will
mean my ruin. Besides, he knows who and what you are. Therefore how can
you assist me?"

"Mademoiselle," I said, again extending my hand to m