"What on earth do you know about it?" demanded Mr. Llewellyn John, looking at Sage with a startled expression. "John Dene has invented a submarine," proceeded the literal Sage, "with some novel features, including a searchlight that has overcome the opacity of water. The thing is lying on the St. Lawrence River just below Quebec. Yesterday he called to see Sir Lyster Grayne, who brought him here with Admiral Heyworth." Mr. Llewellyn John gazed in bewilderment at Malcolm Sage, his eyes shifted to Colonel Walton and then back again to Sage. "But," he began, "you're watching us, not the enemy. Did you know of this?" he turned to the chief of Department Z. Colonel Walton shook his head. "I haven't seen Sage since you telephoned yesterday until a few minutes ago," he said. "Where--how----?" Mr. Llewellyn John paused. "It's our business to know things, sir," was Sage's quiet reply. "And yet you didn't report this to----" began Mr. Llewellyn John. "It saves time telling you both at once," responded Sage, looking at his chief with a smile. "Suppose you tell us how you found out," suggested Mr. Llewellyn John a little irritably. "Does that matter, sir?" Sage looked up calmly from an earnest examination of the nail of his left forefinger. For some moments Mr. Llewellyn John gazed across at Malcolm Sage, frowning heavily. "Sage has his own methods," remarked Colonel Walton tactfully. "Methods," cried Mr. Llewellyn John, his brow clearing, "it's a good job he didn't live in the Middle Ages, or else he'd have been burned. I'm not so sure that he ought not to be burned now." He turned on Sage that smile that never failed in its magical effect. "There are one or two links missing," said Sage. "I want to know where and when the _Destroyer_ will arrive, and what steps you are taking in regard to John Dene." "All arrangements will be left in Mr. Dene's hands. He is----" Mr. Lewellyn John paused. "A little self-willed," suggested Sage. "Self-willed!" exclaimed Mr. Llewellyn John. "He is a dictator in embryo." "He happens also to be a patriot," said Sage quietly. "Wait until you meet him," said the Prime Minister grimly. "I have met him," said Sage quietly. "I trod on his toe last night at 'Chu Chin Chow.' We had quite a pleasant little chat about it. I think that is all I need trouble you with, sir," he concluded. "And we are to see the thing through?" interrogated Colonel Walton, as Mr. Llewellyn John rose. "There won't be any----" "No one else knows anything about it except Sir Lyster, Sir Bridgman and Admiral Heyworth. By the way," Mr. Llewellyn John added, "our Canadian friend has an idea that our Secret Service is run by superannuated policemen in regulation boots." "I know," said Sage, as he followed his chief towards the door. "Good-bye," cried Mr. Llewellyn John. "I'm sure I shall have to send you to the Tower, Sage, before I've finished with you."