fingered his cigarette thoughtfully.

"I believe," he said, "that the Duchess realises her responsibilities in
this matter. I myself have no wish to deny them. As ordinary members
we are both pledged to absolute obedience. I therefore place no embargo
upon the return of my wife to Dorset House. But there are certain
conditions, Prince, that considering the special circumstances of the
case I feel impelled to propose."

"I can recognise," the Prince said, "no conditions."

"They are very harmless," Mr. Sabin continued calmly. "The first is that
in a friendly way, and of course under the inviolable law of secrecy,
you explain to me for what part Lucille is cast in this little comedy;
the next that I be allowed to see her at reasonable intervals,
and finally that she is known by her rightful name as Duchesse de
Souspennier."

The forced urbanity which the Prince had assumed fell away from him
without warning. The tone of his reply was almost a sneer.

"I repeat," he said, "that I can recognise no conditions."

"It is perhaps," Mr. Sabin continued, "the wrong word to use. We submit
to your authority, but you and I are well aware that your discretionary
powers are large. I ask you to use them."

"And I," the Prince said, "refuse. Let me add that I intend to prevent
any recurrence of your little adventure of last night. Lucille shall not
see you again until her task is over. And as for you, my dear Duke, I
desire only your absence. I do not wish to hurt your feelings, but your
name has been associated in the past with too many failures to inspire
us with any confidence in engaging you as an ally. Countess, a carriage
from Dorset House awaits you."

But Lucille sat still, and Mr. Sabin rose slowly to his feet.

"I thank you, Prince," he said, "for throwing away the mask. Fighting
is always better without the buttons. It is true that I have failed
more than once, but it is also true that my failures have been more
magnificent than your waddle across the plain of life. As for your
present authority, I challenge you to your face that you are using it to
gain your private ends. What I have said to you I shall repeat to those
whose place is above yours. Lucille shall go to Dorset House, but I warn
you that I hold my life a slight thing where her welfare is concerned.
Your hand is upon the lever of a great organization, I am only a unit
in the world. Yet I would have you remember that more than once, Prince,
when you and I