every place he moved, for they were fearful that he might decide at any
moment to leave the house. Chester kept his eyes on all three.

Chester was plainly nervous. Had he been in the danger himself his
nerves would have been as hard as steel, but the inaction while someone
else was doing the work made him impatient and fanciful.

Finally General Rentzel approached the Swiss minister and paid his
adieus. Then he moved toward the cloakroom.

Halfway there he was intercepted by Mrs. Schweiring and Gladys.

"You are not going so soon, your excellency?" questioned Mrs.
Schweiring.

"I must," was the reply. "I have work to do at my office that will
keep me until far into the night."

"I'm sorry," was the reply. "Have you seen my husband?"

"Why, no."

"I understood him to say that he had some business with you; perhaps I
was mistaken, however."

Twice now the general had attempted to move on, but Mrs. Schweiring had
prevented it. He tried again, and she asked:

"What time have you, your excellency?"