was only to-day that the contents of the packet reached me, and was
shown to the Prime Minister. Then, it was just before I hurried round
here to see you that I received a cypher telegram from her, warning me
that Count Godensky--of whom you've probably heard--an attaché of the
Russian embassy in Paris, somehow has come to suspect a--er--a game in
high politics which she and I have been playing; her last, according to
present intentions, as I told you. I have an idea that this man, who's
well known in Paris society, proposed to Mademoiselle de Renzie, refused
to take no for an answer, and bored her until she perhaps was goaded
into giving him a severe snub. Godensky is a vain man, and wouldn't
forgive a snub, especially if it had got talked about. He'd be a bad
enemy: and Mademoiselle seems to think that he is a very bitter and
determined enemy. Apparently she doesn't know how much he has found out,
or whether he has actually found out anything at all, or merely guesses,
and 'bluffs.' But one thing is unfortunately certain, I believe. Every
boat and every train between London and Paris will be watched more
closely than usual for the next day or two. Any known or suspected agent
wouldn't get through unchallenged. But I can see no reason why you
should not."

"Nor I," answered Ivor, laughing a little. "I think I could make some
trouble for anyone who tried to stop me."

"Caution above all! Remember you're in training for a diplomatic career,
what? If you should lose the packet I'm going to give you, I prophesy
that in twenty-four hours the world would be empty of Maxine de Renzie:
for the circumstances surrounding her in this transaction are peculiar,
the most peculiar I've ever been entangled in, perhaps, in rather a
varied experience; and they intimately concern her fiancé, the Vicomte
Raoul du Laurier--"