"You may bring up in Monte Carlo or Hong Kong, with a fascinating adventuress professing to be madly infatuated with you." This time the faintest flicker of a smile appeared. "A dreadful fate, truly, sir." "Still you do not shrink from it, Darby?" The Sphinx shrugged his shoulders. "Duty is duty, sir. I shall play the cards to win." "You are to represent me--for the time you will look and act and think as Roderic Owen." "I leave it to you whether I am able." "My dear fellow there is nothing you could not accomplish, if you set your mind to it. I warrant that even Jerome will be deceived should he personally take a hand in the game of abduction." "He will know the truth to-morrow when he meets you here?" "True--and will be stunned, unable to comprehend the facts. Thus, you will be at liberty to do as you please after once reaching French territory. You know how to find me again." "Just so, sir. Is that all?" "Only that I wish you the best of success," taking the cold hand of the Sphinx and squeezing it. There was actually a faint response. And yet strange to say, this naturally reserved and passionless man was so great an actor that when duty compelled he could imitate even the most hot-blooded Spanish wooer, and sue with song and story for a dusky senorita's love. That was genius rising above nature, a carefully trained gift such as few men possess. "The hour grows late, and you will need some time to make your preparations, so there is no need of my detaining you longer. As to money--" "I have more than enough, sir." "Good. Besides, if you turn up at Monte Carlo you may have a chance to apply some of the tactics you once used in breaking a faro bank in New Orleans. It would perhaps be rare sport to you for a change." Again Darby showed the limit of his emotion, this time it being a chuckle that escaped him. "Then good-bye and good luck. Beware lest you fall in love with the charmer, my boy. Such a Lurline may storm the ramparts of your flinty old heart, and once lodged therein, heaven help you." "Just so, sir. I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff. I have been through the mill. Don't waste any sympathy on Joel Darby, sir. But, there is an old acquaintance of yours here." "Ah! who may that be--male or female?" for his mind instantly reverted to the girl from Porto Rico, and he wondered if Darby could have run across her by chance. "You once showed me a group picture of a very delightful scene in a West Indian flower court, with the fountain and bird cages. Besides yourself and a young Spanish captain there were a charming girl and an old hidalgo with a fierce beard and a mass of iron gray hair--a man once seen never forgotten." "Ah! Yes, General Porfidio de Brabant, the noblest Roman of them all, whose voice is like the thunder burst of his tropical home, and yet who obeys _her_ slightest wish as meekly as a lamb." "Just so--sweet Porfidio is in Dublin."