a clattering of aides-de-camp and great official bustle at
the Government House in Calcutta when General Abercromby reported to
the great statesman Viceroy, dwelling in the vast palace, builded by the
Marquis of Wellesley.

General Abercromby, marveling at the abruptness of the Viceroy, was
relieved to know that his "secret service" had been transferred to Major
Hardwicke under the orders of Major-General Willoughby. His mind was
intently occupied with the promised introduction to Madame Berthe
Louison--"that little party"--and so he failed not to refer to the
future value to the crown of Alan Hawke's services.

"He is here with me, Your Excellency!" respectfully said Abercromby, who
had already posted off his leporello to call in due form at the banker's
mansion, where the disguised Alixe Delavigne had taken refuge. "Send him
to me at once, General. I need him! I will give him the local staff rank
of Major and immediate employment. Willoughby has also written to me
especially about his wonderful knowledge of our northern lines. Stay!
Bring him yourself, to-morrow, at ten o'clock."

"Splendid! Splendid!" cried the love-lorn General, rubbing his hands,
as he hastened away in his carriage to meet Alan Hawke! "I am ready for
him, if he is ready for me! I wish she were at some one of the great
hotels instead of being buried in the silver-gray respectability of the
Manager's family circle. But--but--I will take her to the Viceroy.
The bird shall then learn to test its wings. I will bring her out as a
social star!"

Major Alan Hawke, with a beating heart, recounted to Madame Berthe
Louison all the occurrences in Delhi, when they were left alone in the
great banker's vast parlors. "She is a puzzle, this strange woman!"
mused Hawke, for a serene and stately triumph shone in her splendid
eyes.

Berthe Louison listened to all! "You will get your staff appointment,"
she smiled, "and I will help you! Bring your friend General Abercromby
to see me here to-morrow evening! I will be amiable to him, for your
sake, and for the sake of my future interests!"

The grateful young man, now on the threshold of reinstatement, in a
sudden impulse cried, "I can, now, give you Nadine Johnstone's hiding
place! You can trust to me and I will prove it, now! It is--"

"With Andrew Fraser, retired Professor of Edinburgh University,
historian and philologist, ethnologist, etc.; St. Agnes Road, St.
Heliers, Jersey," laughingly rejoined Berthe L