Madame Durrand, who broke her ankle and wrist in the Pennsylvania
Station, at ten o'clock on Monday, was taken."

The secretary saluted and withdrew.

"Might not our friends the enemy have bribed someone to suppress Madame
Durrand's letter or wire?" Mrs. Clephane asked.

"Very possibly. It is entirely likely that they wouldn't be apt to stop
with the accident."

"You think they were responsible for Madame Durrand's fall?" she
exclaimed.

"Have you forgotten the man who jostled Madame Durrand?" the Marquis
reminded.

"To be sure! How stupid not to think of it. You see, your Excellency, I
am not accustomed to the ways of diplomacy and to assuming every one's a
rogue until he proves otherwise."

"You have a poor opinion of diplomats!" he smiled.

"Not of diplomats, only of their professional ways. And as they all have
the same ways, it's fair, I suppose, among one another."

"Did you tell Monsieur Harleston your opinion of our vocation?" he
asked.

"I did--somewhat more emphatically."