IRENE SAID LITTLE on their way to the Embassy, and found that her companion had become equally silent. She preferred that her father should disclose the substitution for which he was responsible and for which, as the moment for explanation came, she felt that there had been no adequate cause, and therefore no tolerable excuse. On his side, Kindell, though puzzled to guess what could have occurred, was unwilling to show his ignorance until it had become less. He was anxious not to talk, but to hear.

"If you don't mind waiting till tea-time - I can make it a quarter to four if you like - Father will join us. But you don't know how angry he'll be if we disturb him now. He'll say there was no occasion at all."

"I don't think he'll say that. But I'll go up to him myself if you like, and you needn't come into it."

"I don't think that would be the best way. If you'll only say what the hurry is - - "

"If I understood correctly you said that you had undertaken to deliver something for me, and that your father had prevented it being done."

"Yes That's what he did. He said he'd explain to you himself."

"Well, I'm here to hear it."

"But you'll only make him angry if you won't wait."

"I'll risk that."

"Well, I'll do what I can."

Irene went to her father's study, and found him dozing over a book, much as she had foreseen, but he rose at once when he heard who was there, showing as much alacrity for the interview as Kindell could have desired.

"How much have you told him?" he asked.

"Nothing. I said you'd explain everything. He seems rather cross."

"And frightened?"

"No. Not a bit."

"Well, perhaps I've got to do some apologizing. But I don't think that's likely. I wish I did."

"Shall I ask him to come up?"

"Yes, of course."

"And you'll let me stay?"

"Yes. You'd better know what the truth is. There's nothing secret with us. Fetch him in, and tell Williams to bring that case."

The ambassador greeted his young kinsman with more cordiality than he had intended to show. He was not easily reduced to nervousness, but he was a shrewd judge of the demeanour of others, and he was conscious that Kindell's attitude was not that of one whose criminality is likely to be exposed. Still he knew what he had been told, and had not been free to repeat and its inferences were clear.

Naturally, Irene had not understood, as he had been unable to tell her. But she soon would.

"I'm glad," he said, "to see that you've got out of the hands of those French police; but it was about this valise I wanted to see you. . . . Can you tell me why it was to be delivered to Mrs. Collinson, instead of to your own rooms?"

Kindell had intended to conceal his ignorance until he had learnt enough to judge of the position with which he would have to deal, but this question was beyond the possibility of such a reply as would not imply all that he was reluctant to say. He answered simply, "No."

Mr. Thurlow felt that he was rebuffed in a manner which would be improbable had there been any natural and innocent explanation to give. It led him to a more abrupt challenge than he would otherwise have made.

"Do you mind opening it here, so that I may see its contents?"

"Why should I do that?"

"Because, in my official position, I cannot take the risk of being made the medium of anything which, for all I know, may be contrary to your country's laws."

Kindell restrained an inclination to retort that it was a scruple which came late. He asked, "Would you mind telling me how this came into your hands?"

"You mean that you thought Irene would bring it without my knowledge?"

"No. Nothing of the kind. I am genuinely curious to know how it was brought either to you or her."

"Gustav brought it. Surely you should know that."

"I don't even know who Gustav is."

"Possibly you may not have heard or recall his name. He was the waiter by whom you sent it."

"Was he a sandy-haired man, with particularly colourless eyes, and a pointed chin?"

"It sounds like an accurate description. But what I asked was whether you would open the case."

"I could not do that without bursting it. I have no key, and it has the appearance of being strongly locked."

"You talk as though it were not yours. Would you be willing for it to be opened by the police?"

"It is what I was about to propose. My only hesitation is consideration for you."

"Why for me?"............