"Oh, that's merely because a woman makes it."
"Why should she wish to consult with me upon finance? It is one of the many subjects I know nothing about."
True, alas! for the vagaries of Fame, because it is the one thing the world gives you credit for. Lord knows you're not brilliant, but everyone knows you are rich."
"This letter, coming from the Austrian Ambassador, must be answered as punctiliously as it is written. Kindly indite such an epistle, and deliver it in person. Before you hand it over, however, see the Secretary of the Embassy, and find out whether he knows anything about the lady."
"Oh, the over-cautiousness of the rich! If an angel from heaven were to appear, they would not believe; want to see her passport, and all that sort of thing. It seems to me as a man of the world that all you need verity is the genuineness of the Ambassador's communication."
Blake paused, but Stranleigh made no reply, then with a sigh the secretary continued:—
"Still, I shall do exactly what you say."
Thanks," murmured Stranleigh. "That would be novel, but gratifying."
Blake's investigation proved eminently satis-
