any more than I would them, for purposes of vouchment or
identification."

"Then go alone."

"I will. It is the right thing to do. Yesterday I was thinking that you
had the letter and could return it to me. I waited. Today I can
appreciate your reason for withholding it--likewise the necessity for me
to go to the Ambassador with my story. And I shall tell him the _whole_
story; he may believe it or not as he is inclined. I'm only a volunteer
in this affair, and I've decided that for me the course of discretion
and frank honesty is much wiser than silently fighting back.
Furthermore, it does not estop me from fighting the Spencer gang."

"You have made a wise decision," Harleston commented. "Tell the
Ambassador, and be quit of the affair--and don't fight the Spencer gang,
Mrs. Clephane; it is not worth while."

She arose, and he went with her down the corridor and up the steps to
the entrance.

"Every action is suspected and distrusted in diplomacy," he said,
"therefore I may not accompany you. Someone would be sure to see us and
report to the Embassy that I had brought you--the natural effect of
which would be to make the Marquis disbelieve your tale. For you see,
until we have translated the letter, we cannot assume that America is
not concerned."

"And you will not think ill of me for disclosing your part in the
affair?" she asked.