he
wind came booming across the bare country northwards, and the spray
leaped white and phosphorescent into the night like flakes of
wind-hurled snow. I stood as close to the sea as I dared, and I prayed.
Once I saw morning lighten the mass of clouds eastwards, and the grey
dawn break over the empty waters. I heard the winds die away, and I
watched the sea grow calm. Far across on the horizon there was faint
glimmer of cold sunlight. Then I went back to my broken rest. It was
my solitude in those days which drove me to seek peace or some measure
of it from these things.

At last a break came, a summons to London to a meeting of the Council.
I was just able to catch my train and reach the War Office at the
appointed time. There were two hours of important work, and I noticed a
general air of gravity on the faces of every one present. After it was
over Ray came to my side.

"Ducaine," he said, "Lord Chelsford wishes to speak' to you for a few
moments. Come this way."

He led me into a small, barely-furnished room, with high windows and
only one door. It was empty when we entered it. Ray looked at me as he
closed the door, and I fancied that for him his expression was not
unfriendly.

"Ducaine," he said, "there has been some more of this damned leakage.
Chelsford will ask you questions. Answer him simply, but tell him
everything--everything, you understand."

"I should not dream of any concealment," I answered.

"Of course not! But it is possible--Ah!"

He broke off and remained listening. There was the sound of a quick
footstep in the hall.

"Now you will understand what I mean," he whispered. "Remember!"

It was not Chelsford, but the Duke, who entered and greeted me
cordially. With a farewell nod to me Ray disappeared. The Duke looked
round and watched him close the door. Then he turned to me.

"Ducaine," he said, "a copy of our proposed camp at Winchester, and the
fortifications on Bedler's Hill, has reached Paris."

"Your Grace," I answered, "it was I who pointed out to you that our
papers dealing with those matters had been tampered with. I am waiting
now to be cross-questioned by Lord Cheisford. I have done all that is
humanly possible. It goes without saying that my resignation is yours
whenever you choose to ask for it."

The Duke sat down and looked at me thoughtfully.

"Ducaine," he said, "I believe in you."

I drew a little breath of relief. The Duke was a hard man and a man of
few words. I f