"You are to understand just that," said Philip quietly. "Moreover," he manfully met his chief's level glance with one of inexorable decision, "I sincerely regret that hereafter I shall be unable to discharge my duties as your secretary." The Baron stirred. "I may be honored by your reasons, Poynter?" he inquired quietly. "The duties of a spy," flashed Philip, "are peculiarly offensive to me. So is Themar." "Themar!" "Excellency," said Philip curtly, "to-night as I entered, the lamplight fell full upon the face and throat of your valet." "Yes?" "Themar's throat, Excellency, bears peculiar scars." "My dear Poynter! Themar's fall injured him severely about the face and hands." "I have not forgotten," insisted Philip grimly, "that Miss Westfall's servant sunk his terrible fingers into the throat of the man whose knife scar I bear. Whether or not his knife was meant for me, I can not say. Nor have I sufficient proof openly to accuse him, but of this much I am convinced. Themar's presence near the camp of Miss Westfall is, in the face of your peculiar and secretive errand, ominously significant." The Baron sighed. There was frank hostility in Philip's eyes. "Miss Westfall," added Philip hotly, "is the unsuspecting victim of a peculiar network of mystery of which I feel you hold the key. Her camp is constantly spied upon. Upon the night of the storm there were two men lurking mysteriously in the forest near her camp fire. The knife of one I was unfortunate enough to receive. The other," Philip's eyes glinted oddly, "the other, Excellency," he finished slowly, "tried, I firmly believe--to kill Miss Westfall." "Impossible!" exclaimed the Baron, greatly shocked. "If I might know the nature of your peculiar interest in Miss Westfall," urged Philip bluntly, "I would have greater faith in your apparent surprise." The Baron reddened. "That is quite impossible," he regretted formally. "Pray believe that you have magnified its importance into exceedingly ludicrous proportions. I fear I am obliged to dispense with your faith in my integrity on the conditions you mention. Your resolution to leave me--that is final?" "Entirely so." "I am sorry," said the Baron simply. And, meeting his chief's eyes, Philip felt somewhat ashamed of one or two of his highly colored suspicions and reddened uncomfortably. "It is at least--comforting," observed the Baron quietly, "to feel that whatever I may have said in confidence to you will be honorably forgotten." "Excellency," said Philip with spirit, "though I may not speak to Miss Westfall of your interest or my suspicions, for reasons which need no naming among gentlemen, it is but fair to warn you that henceforth I shall regard myself as personally responsible for her safety."