and you, Duke, you took this young man on
trust, and I pledged my word for him. Like many a better man, I made a
mistake. For all that we know he has secret copies of all the work he
has done for us, ready to dispose of. What in God's name, are we going
to do with him?"

"What do you suggest?" Lord Chelsford asked softly.

"My way would not be yours," Ray answered, with a hard laugh. "I am
only half civilized, you know, and if he and I were alone in the desert
at this moment I would shoot him without remorse. Such a breach of
trust as this deserves death."

"We are, unfortunately," Lord Cheisford remarked, "not in a position to
adopt such extreme measures. It would not even be wise for us to
attempt to formulate a legal charge against him. The position is
somewhat embarrassing. What do you suggest, Duke?"

I glanced towards the Duke, and I was surprised to see that his hands
were shaking. For a man who rarely displayed feeling the Duke seemed to
be wonderfully affected.

"I can suggest nothing," he answered in a low tone. "I must confess
that I am bewildered. These matters have developed so rapidly."

Lord Cheisford looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I have a plan in my mind," he said slowly. "Duke, should I be taking a
liberty if I asked to be left alone with this young man for five
minutes?"

The Duke rose slowly to his feet. He had the air of one not altogether
approving of the suggestion. Ray glowered upon us both, but offered no
objection. They left the room together. Lord Cheisford at once turned
to me.

"Ducaine," he said, "forgive me that I did not come to your aid. I will
see that you do not suffer later on. But what in Heaven's name is the
meaning of this last abstraction' from the safe?"

I shook my head.

"The woman could never have guessed the word!" I said.

"Impossible!" he agreed. "Ducaine, do you know why Lord Blenavon left
England so suddenly?"

"Colonel Ray knows, sir," I answered. "Ask him!"

Lord Chelsford became very thoughtful.

"Ducaine," he said, "we are in a fix. So far your plan has worked to
perfection. Paris has plenty of false information, and your real copies
have all reached me safely. But if you leave, how is this to be carried
on? I do not know whom I mistrust, but if the day's work of the Board
is really to be left in 'the safe, either here or at Braster--"

"You must choose my successor yourself, sir," I interrupted.

"The Duke has always opposed my selections. Be