He brought me a letter from Graf Wedel, an astonishing missive.

_Dear Graves:_

I hope your health has improved sufficiently for you to attend to this
matter. Be pleased to understand that this is by no means an official
command. However, I need not point out to you the advantages,
accruing to you through your assistance in the case. The matter
briefly is this. I have been approached by the Grand Duke of
Mecklenburg-Schwerein to assist him in the solving of a rather
delicate private affair. It is outside the usual routine but we find
it advisable to comply. The mission is delicate and leads into
England, for which reasons I have decided to let you undertake the
affair if willing. In case of acceptance, all necessary leave of
absence will be arranged. This is not a command but let me again
point out the advisability of your showing compliance.

Truly yours, V. Wedel.

Three weeks in the pine forests had been better than all the
physicians in Berlin. Besides, I was tired of the monotonous country
life and was hungry for the fleshpots of Egypt. Between the lines of
Wedel's letter I could read the opportunities for earning a handsome
fee. I wrote Wedel that I had no objections, providing the mission
was something I could accomplish, for I was still in the dark as to
its nature. I knew that intruding into the private affairs of ducal
and princely houses is often a most unthankful business. I have ever
found it more satisfactory and less nerve racking to undertake a
mission into some foreign country than to become involved with some