The Double Traitor

cross the table to

you spoke of your removal here from Paris very much as though it were a veritable exile. I told you then that there might be surprises in

its furniture and appointments, the profusion of flowers, and the soft grey carpet, so thickly piled that every sound was deadened. The delicate strains of music came from an invisible orchestra concealed behind a canopy of palms. The head-waiters had the correct cleri

oy," he confessed. "One has heard of the growing wealt

panion laughed softly

ustrian, that is to say, with much English in my blood.

s one meets travelling, and you know what the Germans have done for Monte Carlo and the Riviera-even, to a lesser extent, for Paris and Rome. Wherever they have

ps of her slim and beautifully cared for fingers. She

s. You are a diplomatist, and it is for you, is it not, outwardly, at

y. His companion's words had

e the first person to whom I have spoken like this. And you yourself," he pointed out

ke foolishly, perhaps, but only for your good. You see, Mr. Franc

d, smiling across at her, "am mor

urled h

ed, "that you are goi

gate asserted. "My methods would seem too clu

city by dining with you alone and without a chaperon. Tell me a little about yourself. We have met three times, is it not-once at the Embassy, once a

Bukarest. From there I went to Rome. Then I was sec

e-they are Engl

young, and my father when I was at Eton. I have an estate

our profession? You have the

ng else like it in the

ght almost add that there has been no time in the history of Europe s

oung diplomatist to draw in his horns when a beautiful y

of these things,

ged her s

annot act, or rather, if we do, it is in a very insignificant w

," he said, "if you will tell me why you

ssed, "what a remarkably go

hough attractive enough, was in its way ordinary, hers was entirely unusual. She, too, was slim, but so far from being tall, her figure was almost petite. Her dark brown hair was arranged in perfectly plain braids behind and with a slight fringe in front. Her complexion was pale. Her features were

ut when we are alone and have time, I should so muc

sured her, "which I should like to d

little grim

ave my sort of serious things for another time. I am quite certain that I k

d?" he aske

me sudde

nd this is a very dangerous city for flirtations. At Court one has to be so careful, and you know I am already considered far too muc

oes anything

nking. Everything matters to one in your

that you think more of my pr

reports you make, which count. It is your daily life among the people of the nation to which you are attached, the friends you make among them, the hospitalit

one for my peace of

say those things much t

u have served a very

le, "it has been an apprenticeship only, a probationary

now when you have fou

ce even trembled as he answered

trangled upon her lips. He turned his head and followed the direction of her eyes. Three young men in the uniform of officers had entered the room, and stood there as though look

young men?" N

he three newcomers seemed to recognise her. He strode at once towards their table. Norgate, glancing up at his approach, w

d you her

ly to her feet. She dropped the sligh

e unexpected, is it no

ng man answered, with

his regard with half-amused, half-impatient in

o present Mr. Francis

rose to his feet, bowed and remained standing. The

d imperatively. "I will conclude y

a?tres d'h?tel had gathered obsequiously around. For some reason or other

little unusual, Prin

young man's face b

id, sir?" he demanded.

ce who apparently has not learnt how

rgate's fists were clenched and his eyes gl

d, "you will please gi

who wore the uniform of an officer of high rank, suddenly approached. He addressed the Prince, and they all talked together in

evening," he said to the dumbfounded

mewhat unwillingly held open for him by a ma?tre d'h?tel, but outside the Baroness's automobile w

ome," she faltered. "I a

, but no one offered him any provocation. I should think by this time he

ed, as she gave him her

understand. Pleas

hions. Norgate remained upon the pavement until the car had disappeared. Then he looked back o