Clephane's having aught to do with the night attack vanished--and
having acquitted her in that respect, there was scarcely any question as
to the sincerity and truth of her tale.

As it has been remarked previously, Mrs. Clephane was very good to look
at--and what is more to the point with Harleston, she looked back.

"I had all sorts of adventures, beginning with the cab of the sleeping
horse, three crushed roses, a bit of lace, and a letter," he laughed;
"and the adventures haven't yet ended, and they grow more interesting as
they progress."

"They didn't get the letter?" she asked quickly.

"They got nothing but the trouble of getting nothing," he replied.

"Where is the letter now, Mr. Harleston--is it safe from them?"

There was a note of concern in her voice, and it puzzled him. What else
did she know--or didn't she know anything? Was it only his habit in
diplomatic affairs to doubt everything that was not undoubtable.

"The letter," he replied, "is with the expert of the State Department
for translation."

"What language is it in?" she demanded.

"Cipher language--and a particularly difficult cipher it is. Can you
help us out, Mrs. Clephane?"