room, sipping the most delicious Marcobrunner out of a pale yellow
hock-glass marked with the Imperial monogram, and chatting in the
friendliest manner possible to the famous conspirator.

'Explosive clocks,' said Herr Winckelkopf, 'are not very good things
for foreign exportation, as, even if they succeed in passing the
Custom House, the train service is so irregular, that they usually
go off before they have reached their proper destination. If,
however, you want one for home use, I can supply you with an
excellent article, and guarantee that you will he satisfied with the
result. May I ask for whom it is intended? If it is for the
police, or for any one connected with Scotland Yard, I am afraid I
cannot do anything for you. The English detectives are really our
best friends, and I have always found that by relying on their
stupidity, we can do exactly what we like. I could not spare one of
them.'

'I assure you,' said Lord Arthur, 'that it has nothing to do with
the police at all. In fact, the clock is intended for the Dean of
Chichester.'

'Dear me! I had no idea that you felt so strongly about religion,
Lord Arthur. Few young men do nowadays.'

'I am afraid you overrate me, Herr Winckelkopf,' said Lord Arthur,
blushing. 'The fact is, I really know nothing about theology.'

'It is a purely private matter then?'

'Purely private.'