the check to me suggested I should raise it! Since then I have tried
to repay that money with interest a dozen times, but they have always
laughed and told me they preferred to leave matters as they are."

"What would be the use of returning to British territory, then?" asked
Fred. "If they hold that over you, they can denounce you at any time."

"Not they!" she answered. "Not if I get there first! I know too much!
I can tell too much! I can prove too much! If I were once arrested
on the charge of raising that check, no government in the world would
listen to me. But if I can tell my story first, and confess about the
check, and explain why the charge is likely to be brought against me,
then there will be Downing Street officials who know how to whisper to
the German Embassy words that will frighten them into silence! I can
prove too much against the German government, if only I can tell my
tale before they crush me!"

"Why not write it?" asked Fred, and it seemed to me there was humor in
his eye, but she only detected stubbornness, and laughed scornfully.

"My own maid even gave them the letters written to me by my sister! If
I should be suspected of writing they would never rest until they had
the letter!"

"Give me your letter to mail!" suggested Fred maliciously.

"Deluded man!" she sneered. "All the letters you have written since you
came to Muanza lie in a drawer in the commandant's desk! I myself have
read them!"

In the dark, with shifting shadows thrown by the cheap trade lantern,
it was difficult to judge what was going on behind that beard of
Fred's. I had begun to suspect he was coming over to my way of
thinking and would yield to her presently, but he returned to the
attack--very directly and abruptly.

"What is it you know against the German government?" he demanded, and
sat with his jaw in the palm of his hand waiting for her answer.

"Why should I tell you? Why should I put myself completely in your
power?"

"Why not?" asked Fred.

"What would prevent you from stealing my thunder, and telling my story
as your own--leaving me at the Germans' mercy?"

"Something very potent that I think you would not understand if I
talked of it," Fred answered. "Listen to me now a minute. I haven't
conferred with my friends here, as you know. Whatever I tell you is
subject to their agreeing with me. The only condition on which I, for
one, would consent to taking part with you in anything--a