or any other woman, except
when he can make tools of them. He is here just now----"

The Marquis paused. Peter looked at him interrogatively.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because you are here," the Marquis affirmed. "Baron, I meant to speak
to you about that man before we parted. There is no great work done
without difficulties. The greatest difficulty you will have to face in
your new life is that man. It is very possible that you may find within
the course of a few months that your whole career, your very life, has
developed into a duel _a outrance_ with him."

They had turned again, and were once more in sight of the little group.
Bernadine had thrown a loose overcoat over his tweed travelling clothes,
and with a cigarette between his fingers was engaged in deferential
conversation with the woman by his side. His servant stood discreetly in
the background, talking to the other domestic--a sombrely clad young
person carrying a flat jewel-case, obviously the maid of the young
Frenchwoman.

"He is taking her across," the Marquis remarked. "It is not often that
he travels like this. Perhaps he has heard that you are susceptible, my
friend."

Peter shrugged his shoulders.

"The game is too young yet!" he declared.

"It is never too young for Bernadine to take a hand," the Marquis
replied grimly. "Listen, de Grost. Bernadine will probably try to make
friends with you. You may think it wise to accept his advances, you may
believe that you can guard your own secrets in his company; perhaps,
even, that you may learn his. Do not try it, my friend. You have
received the best proof possible that we do not underrate your
abilities, but there is no other man like Bernadine. I would not trust
myself alone with him."

"You are taking it for granted," Peter interposed, "that our interests
must be at all times inimical."

The Marquis laid his hand upon the other's arm.

"My friend," he said, "there are interests which are sometimes elastic,
_rapprochements_ which may vary between chilly friendliness and a
certain intimacy. But between the interests of the Double Four and the
interests represented by that young man there yawns the deepest gulf
which you or any other man could conceive. Bernadine represents the
Teuton--muscle and bone and sinew. He is German to the last drop of his
heart's blood. Never undervalue him, I beseech you. He is not only a
wonderful politician: he is a man of action, grim, unbending, unswerving
as a man