“It was not an appointment, it was a command,” Dominey replied. “I was told to be at Belgrave Square at seven o'clock.” “I will have an understanding with the Princess,” promised Seaman, as he took up his hat. “Dine with me downstairs at eight o'clock on my return.” Dominey, descending about an hour later, found his friend Seaman already established at a small, far-away table set in one of the recesses of the grill room. He was welcomed with a little wave of the hand, and cocktails were at once ordered. “I have done your errand,” Seaman announced. “Since my visit I am bound to admit that I realise a little more fully your anxiety.” “You probably had not met the Princess before?” “I had not. I must confess that I found her a lady of somewhat overpowering temperament. I fancy, my young friend,” Seaman continued, with a twitch at the corner of his lips, “that somewhere about August next year you will find your hands full.” “August next year can take care of itself,” was the cool reply. “In the meantime,” Seaman continued, “the Princess understands the situation and is, I think, impressed. She will at any rate do nothing rash. You and she will meet within the course of the next few hours, but on reasonable terms. To proceed! As I drove back here after my interview with the Princess, I decided that it was time you made the acquaintance of the person who is chiefly responsible for your presence here.” “Terniloff?” “Precisely! You have maintained, my young friend,” Seaman went on after a brief pause, during which one waiter had brought their cocktails and another received their order for dinner, “a very discreet and laudable silence with regard to those further instructions which were promised to you immediately you should arrive in London. Those instructions will never be committed to writing. They are here.” Seaman touched his forehead and drained the remaining contents of his glass. “My instructions are to trust you absolutely,” Dominey observed, “and, until the greater events stir, to concentrate the greater part of my energies in leading the natural life of the man whose name and place I have taken.” “Quite so,” Seaman acquiesced. He glanced around the room for a moment or two, as though interested in the people. Satisfied at last that there was no chance of being overheard, he continued: