There are fools often for officers, and over them politicians who
are worse fools, sometimes. Well, then, why blame a simple fellow
like me for doing what is given him to do? I have not liked the
duty, no matter how much I have enjoyed the experience. Now, with
puzzles ended and difficulties beginning, you threaten to make my
unhappy lot still harder!"

"Why did you bring me here?"

"That I do not know. I could not answer you even did I know."

"And why did I come?" she mused, half to herself.

"Nor can I say that. Needs must when the devil drives; and His
Majesty surely was on the box and using his whip-hand, two days
ago, back in Washington. Your own sense of fairness will admit as
much as that."

She threw back her head like a restless horse, blooded, mettlesome,
and resumed her pacing up and down, her hands now clasped behind
her back.

"When I left the carriage with my maid Jeanne, there," she resumed
at length; "when I passed through that dark train shed at midnight,
I felt that something was wrong. When the door of the railway
coach was opened I felt that conviction grow. When you met me--the
first time I ever saw you, sir,--I felt my heart turn cold."

"Madam!"