alk to you I can feel it."

"And your plans? How are you intending to dispose of it to-night?"

"On my return to the Embassy I shall place it in the safe, lock it up,
and remain watching it until morning."

"There doesn't seem to be much chance for Bernadine," Peter remarked.

"But there must be no chance--no chance at all," Monsieur de Lamborne
asserted, with a note of passion in his thin voice. "It is incredible,
preposterous, that he should even make the attempt. I want you to come
home with me and share my vigil. You shall be my witness in case
anything happens. We will watch together."

Peter reflected for a moment.

"Bernadine makes few mistakes," he said thoughtfully.

Monsieur de Lamborne passed his hand across his forehead.

"Do I not know it?" he muttered. "In this instance, though, it seems
impossible for him to succeed. The time is so short and the conditions
so difficult. I may count upon your assistance, Baron?"

Peter drew from his pocket a crumpled piece of paper.

"I received a telegram from headquarters this evening," he said, "with
instructions to place myself entirely at your disposal."

"You will return with me, then, to the Embassy?" Monsieur de Lamborne
asked eagerly.

Peter did not at once reply. He was standing in one of his
characteristic attitudes, his hands clasped behind him, his head a
little thrust forward, watching with every appearance of courteous
interest the roomful of guests, stationary just now, listening to the
performance of a famous violinist. It was, perhaps, by accident that his
eyes met those of Madame de Lamborne, but she smiled at him
subtly--more, perhaps, with her wonderful eyes than with her lips
themselves. She was the centre of a very brilliant group, a most
beautiful woman holding court, as was only right and proper, amongst her
admirers. Peter sighed.

"No," he said, "I shall not return with you, de Lamborne. I want you to
follow my suggestions, if you will."

"But, assuredly----"

"Leave here early and go to your club. Remain there until one, then come
to the Embassy. I shall be there awaiting your arrival."

"You mean that you will go there alone? I do not understand," the
ambassador protested. "Why should I go to my club? I do not at all
understand!"

"Nevertheless, do as I say," Peter insisted. "For the present, excuse
me. I must look after my guests."

The music had ceased, there was a movement towards the supper room.
Peter offered his arm