very much in that line?"

"Oh, to be sure!" exclaimed Harleston, with an air of complete surprise.
"However did--Great Heavens, Madeline, were _you_ the woman of the roses
and the cab?"

"You know that I wasn't!" she replied.

"Then how do you know of the cab of the sleeping horse, and what
followed?" he inquired blandly.

"I dreamed it."

"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!"

She nodded tolerantly. "Why keep up the fiction?" she asked. "You know
that I am concerned in your adventure--just as I know of your adventure.
I was on the street, or in the house, or was told of it, whichever you
please; it's all one, since you know. Moreover you have seen me with one
of your early morning callers, as I meant you to do." She leaned forward
and looked at him with half-closed eyes. "Will you believe me, Guy, when
I say that the United States is not concerned in the matter--and that it
should keep its hands off. You stumbled by accident on the deserted cab.
A subordinate blundered, or you would not have found it ready for your
investigation--and you've been unduly and unnecessarily inquisitive. We
have tried to be forbearing and considerate in our efforts to regain it,
but--"

"Regain, my dear Madeline, implies, or at least it conveys an idea of,
previous possession. Did Germany--I beg your pardon; did your client in