Hardy brushed his master's hat for a moment or two in silence. "You will pardon my mentioning it, sir," he said--"I imagine it is of no importance--but one of the German waiters on this floor has been going out of his way to enter into conversation with me this evening. He seemed to know your name and to know that you had just come from Germany. He hinted at some slight trouble there, sir." "The dickens he did!" Norgate exclaimed. "That's rather quick work, Hardy." "So I thought, sir," the man continued. "A very inquisitive individual indeed I found him. He wanted to know whether you had had any news yet as to any further appointment. He seemed to know quite well that you had been at the Foreign Office this morning." "What did you tell him?" "I told him that I knew nothing, sir. I explained that you had not been back to lunch, and that I had not seen you since the morning. He tried to make an appointment with me to give me some dinner and take me to a music-hall to-night." "What did you say to that?" Norgate enquired. "I left the matter open, sir," the man replied. "I thought I would enquire what your wishes might be? The person evidently desires to gain some information about your movements. I thought that possibly it might be advantageous for me to tell him just what you desired." Norgate lit a cigarette. For the moment he was puzzled. It was true that during their journey he had mentioned to Selingman his intention of taking a flat at the Milan Court, but if this espionage were the direct outcome of that information, it was indeed a wonderful organisation which Selingman controlled. "You have acted very discreetly, Hardy," he said. "I think you had better tell your friend that I am expecting to leave for somewhere at a moment's notice. For your own information," he added, "I rather think that I shall stay here. It seems to me quite possible that we may find London, for a few weeks, just as interesting as any city in the world." "I am very glad to hear you say so, sir," the man murmured. "Shall I fetch your overcoat?" The telephone bell suddenly interrupted them. Hardy took up the receiver and listened for a moment. "Mr. Hebblethwaite would like to speak to you, sir," he announced. Norgate hurried to the telephone. A cheery voice greeted him. "Hullo! That you, Norgate? This is Hebblethwaite. I'm just back from a few days in the country--found your note here. I want to hear all about this little matter at once. When can I see you?" "Any time you like," Norgate replied promptly. "Let me see," the voice continued, "what are you doing to-night?" "Nothing!" "Come straight round to the House of Commons and dine. Or no--wait a moment--we'll go somewhere quieter. Say the club in a quarter of an hour--the Reform Club. How will that suit you?" "I'll be there, with pleasure," Norgate promised.