"Pardon me, then--" I fumbled for my case of lucifers, and made a faint light by which she might read. The flare of the match lit up her face perfectly, bringing out the framing roll of thick dark hair, from which, as a high light in a mass of shadows, the clear and yet strong features of her face showed plainly. I saw the long lashes drooped above her dark eyes, as she bent over studiously. At first the inscription gave her no information. She pursed her lips and shook her head. "I do not recognize the address," said she, smiling, as she turned toward me. "Is it this door on M Street, as you go beyond this other street?" I asked her. "Come--think!" Then I thought I saw the flush deepen on her face, even as the match flickered and failed. I leaned out of the door and called to the negro driver. "Home, now, boy--and drive fast!" She made no protest. CHAPTER V ONE OF THE WOMEN IN THE CASE There is a woman at the beginning of all great things. --_Lamartine_. A quarter of an hour later, we slowed down on a rough brick pavement, which led toward what then was an outlying portion of the town--one not precisely shabby, but by no means fashionable. There was a single lamp stationed at the mouth of the narrow little street. As we advanced, I could see outlined upon our right, just beyond a narrow pavement of brick, a low and not more than semi-respectable house, or rather, row of houses; tenements for the middle class or poor, I might have said. The neighborhood, I knew from my acquaintance with the city, was respectable enough, yet it was remote, and occupied by none of any station. Certainly it was not to be considered fit residence for a woman such as this who sat beside me. I admit I was puzzled. The strange errand of my chief now assumed yet more mystery, in spite of his forewarnings. "This will do," said she softly, at length. The driver already had pulled up. So, then, I thought, she had been here before. But why? Could this indeed be her residence? Was she incognita here? Was this indeed the covert embassy of England?