Madame Durrand was injured as she was about to take train in New York,
and gave me the letter to deliver."

The secretary looked at her blandly and smiled faintly.

"You have the letter with you?" he asked.

"Again, no," she replied. "It is to explain its loss, and to warn the
Ambassador that I am here."

"His Excellency is exceedingly busy--will you not relate the
circumstances to me?"

"My instructions from Madame Durrand are most specific that I am to deal
only with his Excellency," Mrs. Clephane explained--with such a dazzling
smile that the secretary's eyes fairly popped. "Won't you please tell
him I'm here, and that I have a luncheon engagement at one o'clock."

The secretary hesitated. Again the smile smote him full in the face--and
he hesitated no longer.

"Come with me, Madame Clephane," he replied "His Excellency is occupied
at present, but I'll deliver your message."

Once more the smile--as opening the door for her he bowed her into an
inner office, and carefully placed a chair for her.

"A moment, madame," he whispered, disappearing through an adjoining
doorway.