“In that case, prince,” replied the detective, smiling, “you should have made the appointment at noonday, instead of at midnight. One is less noticeable, if one arrives among others, than if one goes by oneself to a place of appointment. The best place to hold a secret conference is in the midst of a crowd; at least that has been my experience.” The prince—for he was one, although his title was rarely used in Washington—shrugged his shoulders. “After all,” he said, “the matter of the secrecy of your present employment is one that is entirely your own affair. I assume that if you are competent to take this matter in hand for me you are also perfectly capable of guarding the minor details connected with it.” “I think so.” “This city at the present time is filled with secret agents of another government than mine or yours—and those secret agents have been chiefly interested in watching me for a long time. I have no doubt that your presence here at the embassy is already known to them.” “More than likely it is.” “Nevertheless, Mr. Carter, it might be inferred that you have come here to see me on matters entirely your own; or at least not mine. It is quite as logical that you should represent one government as another.” “Yes; or none at all, prince.” “True.” “Before we go into the particulars of my visit here, prince, I would like you to tell me the name of that government whose spies swarm in the city at the present time.” “Oh, I shall not permit you to work in the dark, Mr. Carter. I have had no such intention, for that would thwart the very purpose of your employment.” The ambassador bent forward, selected a piece of paper and a pencil, wrote something on the paper, passed it over to the detective, and said: “That is the name of the government whose spies are chiefly interested in the subject which we will presently discuss, Mr. Carter; but, if you please, we will not mention it to each other, even in a whisper or by so much as an innuendo.” “Certainly not.” “Walls have ears, you know; and sometimes eyes as well.” “I know. While I was talking with Colonel Turnieff, he had occasion to draw a simile, and he made use of the name of Siam. Suppose in referring to this country, the name of which you have written down here, we call it Siam.” “Good! A capital idea.” “And now, sir, I return this paper to you in order that you may destroy it yourself.” “Mr. Carter, I like your methods.” “Thank you. Now, prince, if you will get down to business——” “At once. But first, how much did Turnieff tell you, and what conclusions did you draw from his manner of telling it?” “Prince, so far as the information which you will tell me is concerned, he has told me nothing; and his manner made no impression upon me one way or another.” The ambassador smiled. “You should have gone into the diplomatic service, Mr. Carter,” he said. “I seem to be in it now, prince,” was the reply.