when I am ready to face the embryo Sir Hugh Johnstone!"

"You are bold!" slowly said Alan Hawke. "If I should denounce you
to Johnstone, himself! If he should be warned--"

"I hold him and his long cherished dream, the Baronetcy, in my
hand," the brown-eyed beauty frankly cried. "I should not burn my
ships in Europe! Even if I were to be betrayed, the purpose of my
life will be carried out. I should leave here behind me the safest
of anchors in other well-paid agents. Your rash meddling would only
ruin your own money interests and not hurt my plans."

"Then we are to make an offensive and defensive alliance without
trust or faith in each other?" agnostically remarked Hawke.

"Just so!" answered Madame Louison. "I can make it to your interest
to serve me well, better than the man whom I wish to face. You know
India--you happen to know Delhi. Your possible adversary is an old
civilian, rich, retired, and unable to rake up trouble for you in
military circles. I will do my work alone, but I shall want your
aid, and I will pay you liberally. I will go up to Lausanne. You
will find me at the Hotel Faucon. Bring up some route maps of India.
We will go out as soon as possible. Do you wish any present money?"

Alan Hawke reddened as he shook his head.

"Then, Major Hawke, if you will take the first passing carriage,
we will meet as soon as you have succeeded. Send me a telegram of
your coming." The adventurer's low bow of silent assent terminated
the strange breakfast scene, and at the gate of the vine-clad garden