LITMIR.BIZ

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      “A leather case. Inside there was a book.”

      The man shook his head.

      “I’ve never seen such a thing, sir,” he replied. “You probably remember, sir, that you gave me the evening off.”

      “Quite right. When you came back were there any signs of anyone having been here?”

      “None, sir.”

      Charles made no further remark. Fie took the packets of money which were the sole contents of the safe and relocked it.

      “I’m going out for an hour, Fritz,” he said. “Get on with the packing. Leave me out a lounge suit and an overcoat. You can send my uniform round to the Embassy later on. I shall be back in plenty of time to change.”

      “Very good, sir. I’m sorry about the parcel.”

      “My mistake, perhaps, Fritz. I’m not blaming you in any way.”

      On his way out he stopped at the bureau. The reception clerk hurried up to him.

      “Tell me,” Charles asked, “has anyone called to see me to-night whilst I was out?”

      The man smiled. He leaned a little farther across the counter.

      “Only the lady who was with you when you went upstairs this evening, sir,” he confided. “She came back about an hour after you had left for the Embassy.”

      “She came back?” Charles repeated thoughtfully.

      “She asked for the keys of your room, sir. I hope I was right in giving them to her?”

      “Of course. Did she return them to you?”

      “Yes, sir. She was only upstairs for about a quarter of an hour. She said she hoped to see you later.”

      Mildenhall nodded and turned away. He spent a few minutes in the telephone box, stepped outside, ordered a taxi and drove to a small block of apartment flats on the other side of the Ringstrasse. He leaned across the counter to the sleepy concierge.

      “The Baroness von Ballinstrode,” he whispered confidentially. “She is expecting me.”

      The man rubbed his eyes, gazed in awe at Mildenhall’s uniform and handed him the keys. The yawning lift boy took him up to the third floor. He opened the door of the number on the keys softly and found himself in a small hall. He passed through another door and entered a delightful little sitting-room half filled with roses. The door of the bedroom leading from it was wide open. Before an elegantly shaped oval mirror the Baroness was seated in the most negligible of negliges. Her golden hair in a long stream hung over the back of her chair. A dark complexioned Viennese maid was brushing it with intense care. It was not until Mildenhall had advanced half-a-dozen paces that they were aware of his presence. The maid screamed and dropped the brush. The Baroness sat for a moment as though turned to stone. Then she sprang to her feet, wrapped her diaphanous dressing-gown a little more closely around her and came forward with outstretched hands.

      “But, my friend!” she cried. “This is marvellous!”

      He stood motionless. She came fearlessly up to him. Her expression was a curious mixture of fear and joy. Her eyes questioned him feverishly.

      “Where have you come from?” she demanded.

      “From the ball.”

      She suddenly realized that he was unresponsive. The eyes that met hers were hard.

      “You have come direct here?” she asked.

      “No,” he answered. “I called at the hotel.”

      She turned round and closed the door behind her.

      Then she flung herself on to a small divan and lay back amongst the cushions, her fingers clasped behind her head.

      “You are angry with me, Charles,” she said.

      “Yes,” he replied. “I am angry with you. There is little time to spare. Give me that book.”

      “Why do you say there is little time to spare?” she demanded. “The morning is young. We have many hours. There is wine on the sideboard there. Give me some and serve yourself. We must not quarrel, Charles.”

      Her voice was a caress but its sweetness was wasted upon him.

      “Baroness—” he began.

      “Beatrice,” she interrupted.

      “Beatrice, then,” he continued. “I want my book.”

      “Why do you think that I have your book?” she asked.

      “Because they told me at the hotel that you had been there and asked for my keys, which they were foolish enough to give you. Afterwards you apparently helped yourself to the book which was in my safe and returned with it here. You have exactly five minutes to hand it over.”

      “Why only five minutes?” she asked. “You are very handsome in that uniform, Charles, but you are very stiff and unbending. Loosen that high collar and sit down by my side. I will explain to you—”

      “I desire no explanation,” he broke in. “I must have the book.”

      “You are very foolish, Charles,” she whispered. “The book is beautiful—but so am I.”

      “You are far more beautiful than any book could be,” he assented, “but nevertheless, the book is mine and I demand it. You have now a matter of three minutes left in which to restore it.”

      She laughed gaily. Then for a moment she was silent. Her eyes were fixed upon his. She held out her arms. Her voice was lower still.

      “If I am more beautiful than the book,” she murmured, “take me instead.”

      “Beatrice,” he answered, “you are as beautiful as an angel and the book is a dull thing of parchment and vellum, but we are not engaged in a battle of flowery words just now. I am in deadly earnest. That book I demand and must have. You have two minutes left.”

      She raised herself a little upon the divan.

      “Why do you harp so upon the time, darling? We have many hours together—if you will. I am alone. If your thoughts are with your namesake—”

      “Baroness, my thoughts are upon myself and my own safety,” he interrupted. “Is it still the custom in Vienna to fight duels in a lady’s salon?”

      “What do you mean?” she demanded. “Ah, I can guess! Stupid! Monsieur—you think of him. It is arranged so that he does not come. You heard me say it. The hours are free and your book—if you must have it—may come into your possession a little later on.”

      “You have exactly one minute left. Baroness,” he told her. “As to the movements of my distinguished namesake, you are wrong. Events have changed all that. The Archduchess has received an invitation to leave on the special train with Lady Tremearne for London. Her husband remains here.”

      She was on her feet now.

      “What you tell me is the truth?”

      “On my honour it is the truth.”

      “Then you must fly,” she cried. “Do not hesitate for a moment. Karl has a terrible temper. You have heard stories of what has already happened. Please—please—my friend, I implore you—go!” For the first time the glimmering of a smile parted his lips.

      “No,” he said, “I am in no hurry. If a duel must be fought, if there is to be a violent scene, I will take my share in it. You spoke of a glass of wine. It is an idea.”

      He took one step towards the sideboard.

      “Don’t touch anything!” she cried. “Wait!”

      She disappeared—a flash of fluttering ribbons and whirling draperies—through the door of her bedchamber. In a few

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