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Helga was waiting for my eyes as I finished, and when she saw my smile, answered with a lift of the brows.

“A singular coincidence, M. American?”

“More probably cause and effect. Prince Kalkov has told His Majesty, and this is for your further mystification, and to prevent the deception being discovered through the Emperor’s presence at the review to-day.”

“Yes, I think with you there is cause and effect,” she answered. “Do you still keep to your—confession?”

“It is the truth, mademoiselle.”

“I am afraid that you will find it as difficult to persuade others as to persuade me. And in that lies the danger.”

Her face clouded, and she tapped the letter.

“Danger?”

“This is from M. Boreski, and concerns you closely. You must read it for yourself. It is a further complication.”

A further complication it was in all seriousness, as a glance at the letter showed me.

It threatened indeed just a devil of a mess.

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BORESKI’S letter ran thus:—

“I have just heard very disturbing news, and hasten to send it you, while I go to make inquiries. Drexel and I had a somewhat serious quarrel after leaving your house last night; very hot words passed between us on the subject of M. Denver’s visit, and we parted after some vague threats on his side, to which I paid no very great heed. But this morning I learn from Vattel—whose information is, as you know, generally reliable—that Drexel saw Vastic and some of those with him, and has told them who M. Denver really is. You will understand what is likely to happen at any moment, therefore, if your visitor is not protected. I trust in God that all is well up to now. All sorts of consequences are possible, and you should act at once. It would be absolutely fatal to all concerned if anything were to happen at your house; and my advice to you is either to let M. Denver return home the instant you receive this or to leave the villa with him and go secretly to Brabinsk. Precautions can be much more easily taken there, and, more over, no one will then know where to look for you. But for God’s sake act promptly.