heaps of cards, and his face was wreathed in
hospitable smiles. I remember wondering why he should play the host to
the true master of the house.

Ivery stood erect before him. He was rather a splendid figure now that
he had sloughed all disguises and was on the threshold of his triumph.
Even through the fog in which my brain worked it was forced upon me
that here was a man born to play a big part. He had a jowl like a Roman
king on a coin, and scornful eyes that were used to mastery. He was
younger than me, confound him, and now he looked it.

He kept his eyes on the speaker, while a smile played round his mouth,
a very ugly smile.

'So,' he said. 'We have caught the old crow too. I had scarcely hoped
for such good fortune, and, to speak the truth, I had not concerned
myself much about you. But now we shall add you to the bag. And what a
bag of vermin to lay out on the lawn!' He flung back his head and
laughed.

'Mr Ivery--' Blenkiron began, but was cut short.

'Drop that name. All that is past, thank God! I am the Graf von
Schwabing, an officer of the Imperial Guard. I am not the least of the
weapons that Germany has used to break her enemies.'

'You don't say,' drawled Blenkiron, still fiddling with his Patience
cards.

The man's moment had come, and he was minded not to miss a jot of his
triumph. His figure seemed to expand, his eye kindled, his voice rang
with pride. It was melodrama of the best kind and he fairly rolled it
round his tongue. I don't think I grudged it him, for I was fingering
something in my pocket. He had won all right, but he wouldn't enjoy his
victory long, for soon I would shoot him. I had my eye on the very spot
above his right ear where I meant to put my bullet ... For I was very
clear that to kill him was the only way to protect Mary. I feared the
whole seventy millions of Germany less than this man. That was the
single idea that remained firm against the immense fatigue that pressed
down on me.

'I have little time to waste on you,' said he who had been called
Ivery. 'But I will spare a moment to tell you a few truths. Your
childish game never had a chance. I played with you in England and I
have played with you ever since. You have never made a move but I have
quietly countered it. Why, man, you gave me your confidence. The
American Mr Donne ...'

'What about Clarence?' asked Blenkiron. His face seemed a study in pure
bewilderment.

'I was that interesting journalist.'

'N