"'The package is not with me,' I remarked. 'It's locked in the hotel
safe.'

"'Will you permit yourself to be searched?' she asked, with an amused
smile. I knew it was a threat.

"'I'm perfectly willing to submit to a search by _you_,' I said. 'The
quicker you set about it, the quicker I'll be released. I don't care for
these diplomatic affairs; they may be regular but they seem
unnecessarily dangerous. I was simply a substitute anyway, and I won't
substitute again; though how you people discovered it I don't see.'

"'Because you're new at the game,' she replied, as we passed into the
drawing-room.

"She closed the door--and I soon satisfied her that the package was not
concealed about me.

"'I may go now?' I inquired.

"'I think so, but I must consult the Chief,' she replied. 'I'll be back
in a minute.'

"They seemed high-class knaves at least; but it was quite evident that
the diplomatic game and its secret service were distinctly not in my
line. I want no more of them even to oblige a friend in distress. I hate
a mess!"

"I'm very glad for this mess," Harleston interjected. "Otherwise I
should not have--met you."