that it contains that awful indictment of her. I have been uncomfortable
ever since I gave it to you; and I came to ask you for it that I might
keep it safe in my own hands. But the document is lost,--am I to
understand that Francis has it?"

"Not yet! But Rambaud has it, and Rambaud and Francis are as thick as
thieves."

"I don't know Rambaud. The name is unfamiliar."

"He has a dozen names--one for every capital. He even operates in
Washington, I have heard. He's a blackmailer, who aims high--a broker in
secrets, a scandal-peddler. He's a bad lot, I tell you. I've had my best
men after him, and they've just been here to report another failure. If
you have nothing better to do--" began the old man.

"Yes; that packet must be recovered," answered Armitage. "If your agents
have failed at the job it may be worth my while to look for it."

His quiet acceptance of the situation irritated the minister.

"You entertain me, John Armitage! You speak of that packet as though it
were a pound of tea. Francis and his friends, Winkelried and Rambaud, are
not chasers of fireflies, I would have you know. If the Archduke and his
son are dead, then a few more deaths and Francis would rule the Empire."

John Armitage and Count von Stroebel stared at each other in silence.

"Events! Events!" muttered the old man presently, and he rested one of
his hands upon the despatch box, as though it were a symbol of authority