"I think I hear Adams coming. Pardon me, old fellow, but though I am sure he knows I have told you about Miss Drake, and though he probably made an excuse for delay so that I might have an opportunity to do so, he wants to appear not to enter on the subject. He is _diplomat_ all over. Remember he is of the U. S. Embassy; and Miss Drake, as an American citizen, is theoretically under his care in this foreign country. Let us be talking of something else when he comes in!" Sam came along the passage softly whistling a bar of "Yankee Doodle." Cathcart nodded to me and whispered: "I told you so! He takes good care that he may not surprise us." When he came in we were talking of the prospects of the Autumn fishing on the Dee. When we left Cathcart's room, after a cigar, I, being somewhat tired with my long ride, went at once to my room. Adams came with me as far as the door. I was just getting into bed when I heard a slight tap at the door. I unlocked it and found Adams without. He raised a warning hand, and said in a whisper: "May I come in? I want to say something very privately." More than ever mystified--everything seemed a mystery now--I opened the door. He came in and I closed it softly and locked it. CHAPTER XVII SAM ADAMS'S TASK Adams began at once: "Archie I want to tell you something; but it is in the strictest confidence. You must promise me not to mention to any one, mind _any one_, what I say; or even that I have spoken to you on the subject." I thought for a moment before replying. It flashed across me that what he had to say must concern Marjory, so I answered: "I fear I cannot make such a promise, if the matter is regarding some one other than myself." A shade of annoyance passed across his face as he said: "Well, it is about some one else; but really you must trust me. I would not for the world, old fellow, ask you to do anything that was not correct." "I know that" I said "I know it right well; but you see it might be regarding some one with whom my relations might be peculiar--not fixed you know. It might be necessary for me to speak. Perhaps not now; but later on." I was stumbling blindly, so sought refuge in fact and query, "Tell me" I said "does it relate to Miss Drake?" "It does; but I thought that you who are a friend of hers might like to do her a service." "Of course I would." I answered. "There is nothing I would not do for her if it were in my power." "Except hold your tongue!" he said with a touch of bitterness unusual with him. I could see that anxious as I was to hear he was still more anxious to tell me; so I was able to keep my temper and not make matters worse by answering back sarcastically. I said: