to the delicate duty which I will
give to you. And, remember, the Viceroy's orders are that you are to
report to me alone, and also to preserve an absolute secrecy. Your
future rank will depend upon your discretion." Major Alan Hawke was not
as cheerful, however, when he opened his private mail at Morley's Hotel,
as when he had bade adieu to Captain Anstruther. A formal communication
from the Credit Lyonnais informed him that Monsieur le Professeur Andrew
Fraser had formally forbidden Messrs. Glyn, Carr & Glyn to pay the four
bills of exchange, acting in his capacity of executor of a will duly
filed at Doctor's Commons, and that the four drafts must be proved as
debts against the estate, and so paid later, in due process of law
on proof of the claim. The refusal was due to the death of the drawer
before presentment.

"Damn it! I must play a fine game now!" he glowered. "Anstruther I must
obey in all! Once back in India with rank, however, I can force old Ram
Lal to pay these drafts. He dare not resist--there's the rope for him!

"And I must find a fellow to spy out the situation in Jersey. I
certainly dare not linger here!" He be-took himself to an old haunt in
Tower Hamlets, where the first stars of the "swell mob" were wont to
linger, a haunt where he had once taken refuge in his changeling days,
years before.

A glance at a man seated enjoying a good cigar at a table caused his
heart to leap up in joy. "Jack Blunt--of all men! By God! this is luck!"
he cried. When the happy Alan Hawke tapped the smoker smartly on the
shoulder he first laid a finger on his own lip and then hastily said:
"Get a private room, Jack, I want you at once. I've a special bit of
business in your line." Major Alan Hawke, Temporary Rank, unattached,
hastily bade the boni-face serve the best supper available for two.
"Mind you, no poison in the wine!" he sharply said.

"We've the best vintages of London Docks," grinned the happy host, as he
sped away and left the two scoundrels alone.

"What are you doing now, Jack?" queried Hawke.

"Nothing," sullenly replied the middle-aged star of the swell mob. "My
eyes! you are in great form," he admiringly commented.

"Can you leave town for a week or so, on a little job for me?" briskly
continued the Major.

"Ready money?" said "Gentleman Jack" Blunt, stroking out a pair of
glossy side whiskers.

"Yes, cash in plenty on hand, and lots more in sight," imperatively
replied the Major.

"Do I wor