"I thank you!" said Philip dryly. "I prefer," he added stiffly, "to
confine my diplomatic activities to more conventional channels."

"When I assure you," purred the Baron with his maddening precision of
speech, "that this information is of peculiar value to me and without
immediate significance to the lady herself, I am sure that you will not
feel bound to withhold your--hum--your coöperation in so slight a
personal inconvenience, singular as it may all seem to you, I am right?"

Philip reddened uncomfortably.

"I am to understand that I would undertake this peculiar mission equipped
with no further information than you have offered?"

"Exactly so," said the Baron. "I must beg of you to undertake it without
question."

"Pray believe," flashed Philip, "that I am not inclined to question.
That fact," he added coldly, "is in itself a handicap."

"The lady's name," explained the Baron quietly, "is Westfall--Diane
Westfall."

"Impossible!" exclaimed Philip and savagely bit his lip.

"Ah, then you know the lady!" said the Baron softly.

"I regret," said Philip formally, "that I have not had the honor of
meeting Miss Westfall." But he saw vividly again a girl straight and