Shortly after that interview between the two men, there was a meeting at Maceda's restaurant. It was a special function, convened especially by the great Lucue himself. There were only six people present, the chief himself, Maceda, who, on this very particular occasion, had delegated the conduct of his establishment to his second in command, Jackson, otherwise Jacques the moneylender, the Frenchwoman, Valerie Delmonte, Violet Hargrave, and Andres Moreno, the latest recruit. The repast this time was of a much simpler nature. It lacked the elegance and profusion characteristic of the ordinary assemblages, when the affairs of the brotherhood was discussed in a general fashion. It was evident from these symptoms, concluded Moreno, that something of importance, some stern business was in the air. When the comparatively simple meal had been finished; Lucue opened the proceedings, speaking as usual in French. "I had hoped that our brother from Barcelona, Jaime Alvedero, would have been with us to-night," he explained to his fellow-conspirators. "But grave affairs have detained him. He is, as you know, technically my superior, but he has written to me, authorising me to act with full authority in this very important matter of Guy Rossett. For the benefit of our latest member, Andres Moreno, I will just explain how, at the present moment, this young Englishman is a serious menace to the brotherhood." Moreno looked expectantly in his chief's direction. He already knew a great deal of what Lucue was going to explain at length for the journalist's benefit, but he was too wide-awake to betray this. He appeared profoundly moved by his chief's disclosures. He assumed an expression of the greatest gravity when Lucue had finished, for he knew that this apparently genial and most astute person was watching him narrowly. "It is a very serious menace, his appointment to the Court of Spain, as he will be on the spot," he commented quietly at the conclusion of the long harangue. "It must be counteracted in some way and speedily. As the newest member of this association, it does not become me to offer suggestions. I leave these to wiser and more experienced heads." He looked meaningly at the other three men, who he knew were the acknowledged chiefs of this particular section of the great brotherhood. Lucue indulged in a smile of approval. Like most great men, he was not a little vain, and easily won by judicious flattery. "Our brother Moreno is very modest," he said pleasantly. "But I have no doubt in a short space we shall find him one of our wisest counsellors. Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have a short way with people who try to thwart our well-laid plans." Moreno played splendidly. He knew that, as the newest recruit, and with English blood running in his veins, he had to justify himself.