He handed it out to Felix. It was entitled, "The Golf Courses of the World," and a leaf was turned down at the chapter headed, "United States." "I wish," he remarked, "that you were a golfer! I should like to have asked your opinion about that plan of the Myopia golf links. To me it seems cramped, and the bunkers are artificial." Felix looked at him admiringly. "You are a wonderful man," he said. "You do not bear me any ill-will then?" "None in the least," Mr. Sabin said quietly. "I never bear personal grudges. So far as I am concerned, I never have a personal enemy. It is fate itself which vanquished me. You were simply an instrument. You do not figure in my thoughts as a person against whom I bear any ill-will. I am glad, though, that you did not cash my cheque for £20,000!" Felix smiled. "You went to see, then?" he asked. "I took the liberty," Mr. Sabin answered, "of stopping payment of it." "It will never be presented," Felix said "I tore it into pieces directly I left you." Mr. Sabin nodded. "Quixotic," he murmured. The express was rushing on through the night. Mr. Sabin thrust his hand into his bag and took out a handful of cigars. He offered one to Felix, who accepted, and lit it with the air of a man enjoying the reasonable civility of a chance fellow passenger. "You had, I presume," Mr. Sabin remarked, "some object in coming to see the last of me? I do not wish to seem unduly inquisitive, but I feel a little natural interest, or shall we say curiosity as to the reason for this courtesy on your part?" "You are quite correct," Felix answered. "I am here with a purpose. I am the bearer of a message to you." "May I ask, a friendly message, or otherwise?" His fingers were tightening upon the little hard substance in his pocket, but he was already beginning to doubt whether after all Felix had come as an enemy. "Friendly," was the prompt answer. "I bring you an offer." "From Lobenski?" "From his august master! The Czar himself has plans for you!" "His serene Majesty," Mr. Sabin murmured, "has always been most kind." "Since you left the country of the Shah," Felix continued, "Russian influence in Central Asia has been gradually upon the wane. All manner of means have been employed to conceal this, but the unfortunate fact remains. You were the only man who ever thoroughly grasped the situation and attained any real influence over the master of western Asia! Your removal from Teheran was the result of an intrigue on the part of the English. It was the greatest misfortune which ever befel Russia!" "And your offer?" Mr. Sabin asked. "Is that you return to Teheran not as the secret agent, but as the accredited ambassador of Russia, with an absolutely free hand and unlimited powers." "Such an offer," Mr. Sabin remarked, "ten years ago would have made Russia mistress of all Asia." "The Czar," Felix said, "is beginning to appreciate that. But what was possible then is possible now!"