“And who shall I say, sir?” the attendant inquired, looking into the eyes which fixed him through the mask. “Say a ‘gentleman,’ and that it is important.” In a minute the attendant returned, accompanied by the little Jew who, dressed as a troubadour, presented a far more grotesque figure than he supposed. “Yes?” he said as he came up. “You wish to speak to me? Who are you?” He had not removed his mask, and the little black eyes seemed to burn with curiosity behind it. “I am sorry to disturb you,” Hopford said, “but _The Evening Herald_ wants to know if it would be possible to obtain a flashlight photograph of Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson in the striking gown she is wearing to-night.” Schomberg snorted. “I am certain,” he answered, “that Mrs. Robertson would not consent to be photographed by the _Evening Herald_ or any other paper, so it would be useless for me to ask her.” He was about to turn away, when he checked himself. “Why did you ask for me instead of for Mrs. Robertson?” he asked sharply. Hopford laughed. “I leave that conundrum to you to answer,” he said. “Good night, Mr. Schomberg,” and he went off elated at his success, while the Jew stood looking after him with a scowl which his mask concealed. Hopford had suspected from the first the identity of the “snake woman,” as people now called her; the dress was being greatly talked about. Now he would be able to enlighten Yootha Hagerston; also in his paper next day he would, he told himself, boldly name the wearer of the very daring costume. As the night wore on, the noise and merriment increased. Certainly no Albert Hall ball had ever been less decorous. The most modern and the most peculiar dances followed one another in quick succession. Yet though the floor looked packed it was not unduly crowded. Blenkiron stood apart with his friend, Captain Preston, whose wounded leg precluded his dancing. “I should like to possess a sum equivalent to a year’s interest on the value of all the diamonds and other jewelry here to-night,” he said lightly. “It would set some of us up for life!” “And the war was supposed to have impoverished the nation!” Preston observed dryly. “This sort of show isn’t much in my line, George.” “Or in mine. But Cora is enjoying it, and Yootha too. Smart of Hopford to have discovered the identity of the woman in the snake costume--eh? I bet she’ll be annoyed when she sees her name in his paper to-morrow.” “You think so? Why?” “My dear fellow, would any woman with the least self-respect not be ashamed to let it be known she wore a dress like that in public?” “A woman with the least self-respect--yes. But has Jessica the least self-respect?” “Well, we know nothing against her, do we? We only think we have reason to suspect she may not be--well, all she poses to be. Queer her entertaining that Jew moneylender, don’t you think?” “She may have a reason.” “A woman with her income!”