litics, but one has to bear in mind the peculiar temperament of the
man himself, and the nation. I personally believe that the Prince of
Malors would consider himself justified in abusing the hospitality of
his dearest friend in the cause of patriotism. At any rate, this is my
view, and I am acting upon it. All danger from that source will now be
at an end, for in an hour's time the Prince will be under the
surveillance of detectives for the remainder of his stay in England."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I am to go back to Braster, then?" I asked.

"To-night, if possible," Lord Chelsford answered. "Go on living as you
have been living. And, listen! If you should have further cause to
suspect the Prince of Malors or anybody else, communicate with me or
with Ray. The Duke is, of course, a man of ability and an honourable
man, but he is prejudiced in favour of his friends. Some of us others
have had to learn our lessons of life, and men, in a sharper school.
You understand me, Mr. Ducaine, I am sure."

"I perfectly understand, sir," I answered.

"There is nothing more which you wish to ask me?"

"There is a suggestion I should like to make, sir, with regard to the
disposal of my finished work," I told him.

"Go on, Mr. Ducaine. I shall be glad to listen to it."

There was a knock at the door. Lord Chelsford held up his finger.

"Send it me in writing," he said in a low tone, "to-morrow.--Come in!"

Ray entered.

CHAPTER XIX

MRS. SMITH-LESSING

Ray and I left the building together. As we turned into Pall Mall he
glanced at his watch.

"You have missed the six o'clock train," he remarked. "I suppose you
know that there is nothing now till the nine-twenty. Will you come to
the club with me, and have some dinner?"

It was less an invitation than a command. I felt a momentary impulse of
rebellion, but the innate masterfulness of the man triumphed easily. I
found myself walking, a little against my will, down Pall Mall by his
side. A man of some note, he was saluted every minute by passers-by,
whom, however, he seemed seldom to notice. In his town clothes, his
great height, his bronzed face, and black beard made him a sufficiently
striking personality. I myself, though I was little short of six feet,
seemed almost insignificant by his side. Until we reached the club he
maintained an unbroken silence. He even ignored some passing comment of
mine; but when once inside the building he seemed to remember th