Stanley stood looking at her in horrified astonishment. Was it possible that if she knew so much she did not know that she was condemning her own husband? But her next words proved to him that such must be the case. "My father writes me," she continued, "that on proving the identity of this go-between, the success or failure of the plot depends, and so far, the government have been at a loss to identify him." The Secretary, who held the key to the situation, could see excellent reasons why the Executive had kept Señor De Costa in the dark; what Madame was saying was evidently what everybody knew. Of the truth she had not the remotest inkling. "Well," she cried gaily, "why don't you speak?" "I have nothing to say," he replied. "Diplomatic to the end, I see," she retorted. "But you can't expect to share my confidences unless you give me yours. Now tell me, have you discovered any of the conspirators yet?" "I can truthfully say," he replied, "that as far as I know, there is nobody at Roberts' Hall connected with the conspiracy to which you allude." "So you've come down here at the busiest season of your year on indefinite leave just to pay a country-house visit." "How did you know that?" he asked. "Randell," she replied. "Good Heavens!" he cried, "you haven't been to my rooms again." "Naturally not," she returned coldly. "Your servant brought a pair of gloves to my hotel, which I left at your rooms." The Secretary bit his lips and changed the conversation, and made a mental note of the fact that if Randell was becoming talkative, he would have to go. "You asked me," he said, "if I had discovered one of the agents of this mysterious treaty of which you seem to know so much. Perhaps you will tell me if you have?" "Yes," she said, smiling. "Who is it?" he asked. "Ah!" she cried. "I thought I should break down your reserve." "Well," he said sheepishly, "what have you to say?" "Nothing," she replied. "I only exchange confidences for confidences. Tell me whom you suspect, and I will tell you whom I know." "What you ask is impossible," he replied, feeling that he could never wound her by admitting his suspicions of her husband. "So be it," she said gaily, giving him her hand, and added, "Come and see me again when you can spare a little time from your detective work." The Secretary saw she was laughing at him, and took his leave discomfited. Madame Darcy watched him go, and sighed gently as she turned to re-enter the house. She also had felt that she would not have dared to wound him by mentioning her suspicions. CHAPTER XIII THE SERIOUS SIDE OF MISS FITZGERALD'S NATURE It may have been contrition for her shortcomings which induced Miss Fitzgerald to offer her services to the Reverend Reginald Lambert to assist in decorating the altar of the little church for the ensuing Sunday, and it may not. At any rate, she did offer them, and they were gratefully accepted.