olely for the purpose of avoiding immediate association with his friends and relatives. His whole outlook upon life was confused and disturbed. Until he received a definite pronouncement fro

bject of attentions which nearly every one agreed were unwelcome, from this young princeling. Norgate told himself, as he changed his clothes that evening, that his behaviour had been the behaviour of a jealous school-boy. Then an inspiration seized him. Half dressed as he was, he sat down at the writing-table and wrote to her. He wrote rapidly, and when he

of my people are. Hardy

s afternoon, although I was careful not to mention the fact that yo

rdy," Norgate enjoined. "For a few days, at any ra

ght I venture to enquire, sir, if you

" Norgate observed grimly. "We are m

ster's hat for a mom

ers on this floor has been going out of his way to enter into conversation with me this evening. He seemed to

gate exclaimed. "That's r

him. He wanted to know whether you had had any news yet as to any further appointmen

d you te

o lunch, and that I had not seen you since the morning. He tried to make an ap

ay to that?" No

es might be? The person evidently desires to gain some information about your movements.

entioned to Selingman his intention of taking a flat at the Milan Court, but if this espionage were th

ve for somewhere at a moment's notice. For your own information," he added, "I rather think that I shall stay here. I

y so, sir," the man murmured.

rupted them. Hardy took up the re

ld like to speak to yo

he telephone. A chee

from a few days in the country-found your note here. I want to

ike," Norgate r

ce continued, "what a

thi

-wait a moment-we'll go somewhere quieter. Say the club in a

with pleasure,"

had a line from Leveson himself this morning. A lady in the case, I h

lost all its depression. There was no one in the Cabinet with more influence than H

sort of questions he asks you. Be careful not to mention the fact that I am dining with Mr. Hebblethwaite. For the rest, fence

, sir!" the

e of a new interest in life. Yet it was not of any of these things that he was thinking as he made his way towards his destination.