"Probably that silly ass at the quay who lost a bag of mine when I landed," he apologized, as he rose. "If you'll pardon me----" Woodhouse passed up the stairs and into the library. He was surprised to find Jaimihr Khan standing by the telephone, his hand just in the act of setting the receiver back on the hook. The Indian stepped swiftly to the double doors and shut them behind the captain. "A thousand pardons, Cap-tain"--he spoke hurriedly--"the cap-tain will stand near the telephone. They may come from the dining-room at any minute." "What is all this?" Woodhouse began. "I was called on the telephone." "A call I had inspired, Cap-tain. It was necessary to see you--at once and alone." "Tactless! With the general suspecting me--you heard what that woman from America said at the table--she has eyes in her head!" "I think he still trusts you, Cap-tain," the Indian replied. "And to-night we must act. The fleet sails at noon to-morrow." "We?" Woodhouse was on his guard at once. "What do you mean by 'we'?" Jaimihr Khan smiled at the evasion. "Yesterday in this room, Cap-tain, I burned a roll of plans----" "Which I had good reason to wish saved," Woodhouse caught him up. "No matter; I burned them--at a moment when you were--in great peril, Cap-tain." "Burned them, yes--perhaps to trap me further." The Indian made a gesture of impatience. "Oh, excellent discretion!" he cried in suppressed exasperation. "But we waste time that is precious. To-night----" "Before another word is spoken, let me have your card--your Wilhelmstrasse number," Woodhouse demanded. "I carry no card. I am more discreet than--some," the other answered insinuatingly. "No card? Your number, then?" Jaimihr Khan brought his lips close to the white man's ear and whispered a number. "Is that not correct?" he asked. Woodhouse nodded curtly. "And now that we are properly introduced," Jaimihr began, with a sardonic smile, "may I venture a criticism? Your pardon, Cap-tain; but our critics, they help us to per-fection. Since when have men who come from the Wilhelmstrasse allowed themselves to make love in drawing-rooms?" "You mean----" "You and the young woman from America--when I found you together here yesterday----" "That is my affair," was Woodhouse's hot response. "The affair on which we work--this night--that is my affair, be veree sure!" There was something of menace in the Indian's tone. Woodhouse bowed to his demand for an explanation. "That young woman, as it happens, must be kept on our side. She saw me in France, when Captain Woodhouse was supposed to be in Egypt." "Ah, so?" Jaimihr inclined his head with a slight gesture craving pardon. "For that reason you make a conquest. I did not un-derstand." "No matter. The fleet sails at noon." "And our moment is here--to-night," Jaimihr whispered in exultation. "Not until to-day did they admit you to the tower, Cap-tain. How is it there?"