“A communication——?” “To Hyacinth Robinson.” “To Hyacinth——?” The Princess sprang up; she had turned pale in a moment. “He has got his billet, but they didn’t send it through me.” “Do you mean his ‘call’? He was here last night,” the Princess said. “A fellow, a worker, named Schinkel, a German—whom you don’t know, I think, but who was originally a witness, with me and another, of his undertaking—came to see me this evening. It was through him the call came, and he put Hyacinth up to it on Sunday night.” “On Sunday night?” The Princess stared. “Why he was here yesterday, and he talked of it and told me nothing.” “That was quite right of him, bless his pluck!” Muniment returned. She closed her eyes a moment and when she opened them again he had risen and was standing before her. “What do they want him to do?” she asked. “I’m like Hyacinth; I think I had better not tell you—at least till it’s over.” “And when will it be over?” “They give him several days and, I believe, minute instructions—with, however,” Paul went on, “considerable discretion in respect to seizing his chance. The thing’s made remarkably easy for him. All this I know from Schinkel, who himself knew nothing on Sunday, being merely the fellow to see he got the thing, and who saw him in fact yesterday morning.” “Schinkel trusts you then?” the Princess remarked. Muniment looked at her steadily. “Yes, but he won’t trust you. Hyacinth’s to receive a card of invitation to a certain big house,” he explained, “a card with the name left in blank, so that he may fill it out himself. It’s to be good for each of two grand parties which are to be given at a few days’ interval. That’s why they give him the job—because at a grand party he’ll look in his place.” “He’ll like that,” she said musingly—“repaying hospitality with a pistol-shot.” “If he doesn’t like it he needn’t do it.” She made no return to this, but in a moment said: “I can easily find out the place you mean—the big house where two parties are to be given at a few days’ interval and where the master—or is it to be the principal guest?—is worth your powder.” “Easily, no doubt. And do you want to warn him?” “No, I want to do the business myself first, so that it won’t be left for another. If Hyacinth will look in his place at a grand party shall not I look still more in mine? And as I know the individual I should be able to approach him without exciting the smallest suspicion.” Muniment appeared for a little to consider her suggestion as if it were practical and interesting; but presently he answered quietly enough: “To fall by your hand would be too good for him.” “However he falls, will it be useful, valuable?” the Princess asked. “It’s worth trying. He’s a very bad institution.” “And don’t you mean to go near Hyacinth?” “No, I wish to leave him free.” “Ah, Paul Muniment,” she said, “you _are_ a first-rate man!” She sank down on the sofa and sat looking up at him. “In God’s name, why have you told me this?”