oung peer of racing
proclivities, and was replete with every comfort. All had been left just
as it was, even to an open box of cigars. His lordship had gone on a
trip round the world.

On the third day--a very wet and dismal one, I recollect--the old
Dutchman arrived. The Baron was out, therefore he waited--waited in
patience for six long hours for his return. When my master re-entered,
the pair sat together for half an hour. Then suddenly the Baron shouted
to me, "Dickson! Pack my suit-case and biggest kit-bag at once. Put in
both dress-coat and dinner-jacket. And I shan't want you. You'll stay
here and mind the place."

"Yes, sir," I replied, and began briskly to execute his orders.

When the shabby old fellow had gone, the Baron called me into the
sitting-room and gave me two cipher telegrams, one written on the yellow
form used for foreign messages. The first, which he had numbered "1" in
blue pencil, was addressed "Zaza, Berlin," and the second was to
"Tejada, Post Office, Manchester."

"These, Dickson, I shall leave with you, for I may want them despatched.
Send them the instant you receive word from me. I will tell you which to
send. It's half-past eight. I leave Charing Cross at nine, but cannot
give you any fixed address. Here's money to get along with. Wait here
until my return."

I was sorely disappointed. I knew that he was a spy and was in England
for some fixed purpose. But what it was I could not discover.

"And," he added, as though it were an afterthought, "if any one should
by chance inquire about Mr. Van Nierop--whether you know him, or if he
has been here--remember that you know nothing--nothing. You understand?"

"Very well, sir," was my response.

Five minutes later, refusing to allow me to accompany him to the
station, he drove away into Piccadilly with his luggage upon a hansom,
and thus was I left alone for an indefinite period.

That evening I went round to Bruton Street, where I saw Ray, and
described what had occurred.

He sat staring into the fire in silence for some time.

"Well," he answered at last, "if what I surmise be true, Jack, the Baron
ought to be back here in about a week. Continue to keep both eyes and
ears open. There's a deep game being played, I am certain. He's with
Hartmann very often. Recollect what I told you about the clever manner
in which the Baron conducted the affair at Toulon. He would have been
entirely successful hadn't a woman given Ullmo away. See me