right enough. But Prince Maiyo is here, and stands apart from any
accredited institution, although he has the confidence of his
Ambassador and can command the entire devotion of his own secret
service. I have not come to this conclusion hastily. I have
thought it out, step by step, and in my own mind I am now
absolutely convinced that both these murders were inspired by
Prince Maiyo."

"Even if this were so," Penelope said, "what can I do? Why have
you sent for me? The Prince and I are not on especially friendly
terms. It is only just lately that we have been decently civil to
one another."

The Ambassador looked at her with some surprise.

"My dear Penelope," he said, "I have seen you together the last
three or four evenings. The Prince looks at no one else while you
are there. He talks to you, I know, more freely than to any other
woman."

"It is by chance," Penelope protested. "I have tried to avoid
him."

"Then I cannot congratulate you upon your success," Mr. Harvey
said grimly.

"Things have changed a little between us, perhaps," Penelope
said. "What is it that you really want?"

"I want to know this," the Ambassador said slowly. "I want to