"I admit that the imitation is so carefully executed that it is calculated to deceive any eye except my own." Then, putting on his _pince-nez_, he made an impression in wax with his own seal and pointed out a slight flaw which, in the impression upon the envelope, did not exist. "And your endorsement. Is it not in your own hand?" he inquired. I turned over the envelope and looked. It bore the designation "B27,893," just as I had written it, and the writing was either my own or such a marvellously accurate imitation that I was compelled to confess my inability to point out any discrepancy. "Then the writing is yours, eh?" the Earl asked abruptly. "If it is, you must be aware who forged the seal." "The writing certainly contains all the characteristics of mine, but I am not absolutely sure it is not a forgery. In any case, I am confident that the document you gave me I handed back to you." Then I explained carefully, and in detail, the events which occurred from the time he gave the treaty into my possession, up to the moment I handed it back to him. "But how can you account for giving back to me a blank sheet of paper in an envelope secured by a forged seal?" he asked, regarding me with undisguised suspicion. "You do not admit even taking it from your pocket, neither have you any suspicion of the friend with whom you lunched. I should like to hear his independent version." "That is impossible," I answered. "Why?" he asked, pricking up his ears and scenting a mystery. "Because he is dead." At that moment our conversation was interrupted by the sharp ringing of the bell of the telegraph instrument near us, and an instant later the telegraphist in charge entered, and seated himself at the table. Click, click, click--click--click began the needle, and next moment the clerk, turning to the Earl, exclaimed,-- "An important message from St Petersburg, your Lordship." "Read it as it comes through," the Earl replied breathlessly, walking towards the instrument and bending eagerly over it. Then, as the rapid metallic click again broke the silence, the clerk, in monotonous tones, exclaimed,-- "_From Lobetski, St Petersburg, via Hamburg. To Earl of Warnham.--A proclamation signed by the Tzar declaring war against England has just been received at the Foreign Office, but it is as yet kept secret. It will probably be posted in the streets this evening. Greatest activity prevails at the War Office and Admiralty. Regiments in the military districts of Charkoff, Odessa, Warsaw and Kieff have received orders to complete their cadres of officers to war strength, recalling to the colours all officers on the retired list and on leave. This is a preliminary step to the complete mobilisation of the Russian forces. All cipher messages now refused_." The Earl, with frantic effort, grasped at the edge of the table, then staggered unevenly, and sank back into a chair, rigid and speechless. CHAPTER FIVE. LORD WARNHAM'S ADMISSION.