"Absolutely," Fischer replied. "The young man I share these apartments with--James Van Teyl--has taken his sister out to Baltusrol. They will not be back until seven o'clock. We are sure of solitude." "Good!" Von Schwerin exclaimed. "And you have news--I can see it in your face." Fischer rolled up easy chairs and produced a box of cigars. "Yes," he assented, with a little glitter in his eyes, "I have news. Things have moved with me. I think that, with the help of an idiotic Englishman, we shall solve the riddle of what our professors have called the consuming explosive. I sent the formula home to Germany, by a trusty hand, only a few hours ago." "Capital!" Von Schwerin declared. "It was arranged in London, that?" "Partly in London and partly here," Fischer replied. Von Schwerin made a grimace. "If you can find those who are willing to help you here, you are fortunate indeed," he sighed. "My life's work has lain amongst these people. In the days of peace, all seemed favourable to us. Since the war, even those people whom I thought my friends seem to have lost their heads, to have lost their reasoning powers." "After all," Fischer muttered, "it is race calling to race. But come, we have more direct business on hand. Nikasti is here." Von Schwerin nodded a little gloomily. "Washington knows nothing of his coming," he observed. "I attended the Baron Yung's reception last week, informally. I threw out very broad hints, but Yung would not be drawn. Nikasti represents the Secret Service of Japan, unofficially and without responsibility." "Nevertheless," Fischer pointed out, "what he says will reach the ear of his country, and reach it quickly. You've gone through the papers I sent you?" "Carefully," Von Schwerin replied. "And the autograph letter?" "That I have," Fischer announced. "I will fetch Nikasti." He crossed the room and opened the door leading into the bedchambers. "Are you there, Kato?" he cried. "I am coming, sir," was the instant reply. Nikasti appeared, a few moments later. He was carrying a dress coat on his arm, and he held a clothes brush in his hand. It was obvious that he had studied with nice care the details of his new part. "You can sit down, Nikasti," Fischer invited. "This is the Baron von Schwerin. He has something to say to you." Nikasti bowed very low. He declined the chair, however, to which Fischer pointed. "I am your valet and the valet of Mr. Van Teyl," he murmured. "It is not fitting for me to be seated. I listen." Von Schwerin drew his chair a little nearer. "I plunge at once," he said, "into the middle of things. There is always the fear that we may be disturbed." Nikasti inclined his head. "It is best," he agreed. "You are aware," Von Schwerin continued, "that the Imperial Government of Germany has already made formal overtures, through a third party, to the Emperor of Japan with reference to an alteration in our relations?"