sides, you have prepared
your false copies with rare skill. Even I was deceived for a moment
just now by your summary. You don't overdo it. Everything is just a
little wrong. I am not sure even now whether I should not do better to
tell Ray and the Duke the truth."

"I am in your hands, sir," I answered. "You must do as you think best."

"They will be back in a moment. It is absurd to doubt either of them,
Ducaine. Yet I shall keep silent. I have an idea. Agree to everything
I say."

The Duke and Ray returned together. Lord Chelsford turned to them.

"Mr. Ducaine," he said, coldly, "persists in his denial of any
knowledge of to-day's affair. With regard to the future, I have offered
him his choice of an arrest on the charge of espionage, or a twelve
months' cruise on the Ajax, which leaves to-morrow for China. He has
chosen the latter. I shall take steps of course to see that he is not
allowed to land at any calling-place, or dispatch letters."

Ray smiled a little cruelly.

"The idea is an excellent one, Chelsford," he said. "When did you say
that the Ajax sailed?"

"To-morrow," Lord Cheisford answered. "I propose to take Mr. Ducaine
to my house to-night, and to hand him over to the charge of a person on
whom I can thoroughly rely."

The Duke looked at me curiously.

"Mr. Ducaine consents to go?" he asked.

"It is a voyage which I have long desired to take," I answered coolly,
"though I never expected to enjoy it at my country's expense."

The Duke rang the bell.

"Will you have Mr. Ducaine's things packed and sent across--did you say
to your house, Lord Chelsford?"

"To my house," Lord Chelsford assented.

"To No. 19, Grosvenor Square," the Duke ordered. "Mr. Ducaine will
not be returning."

Lord Chelsford rose. I followed his example. Neither the Duke nor Ray
attempted any form of farewell. The former, however, laid some notes
upon the table.

"I believe, Mr. Ducaine," he said, "that there is a month's salary due
to you. I have added something to the amount. Until to-day I have
always considered your duties admirably fulfilled."

I looked at the notes and at the Duke.

"I thank your Grace," I answered. "I will take the liberty of declining
your gift. My salary has been fully paid."

For a moment I fancied I caught a softer gleam in Ray's eyes. He seemed
about to speak, but checked himself. Lord Chelsford hurried me from the
room, and into his little brougham, which was waiting.

"Do you rea