"What a good fellow you are!" I cried joyfully, rising and shaking his hand. "Some day I hope to be able to perform a service for you." "Let's hope so, old chap," he answered cheerily, but next second his face assumed a grave expression, as he added, "Take my advice now, and do not let any of Sonia's wild allegations disturb you. She certainly is too expert an adventuress to tell you anything to your own advantage, although whatever she does reveal will be to the detriment of the woman you love." "Why are you so certain of this?" I inquired quickly, in genuine surprise. "I have strong reasons for anticipating the course she will adopt," he answered ambiguously. "I therefore give you warning." "It seems that she is acquainted with Ella," I observed. "Yes, from Renouf's report. But remember my words, and don't be led away by any of her false statements. Do not forget that there is a very strong motive why she should denounce Miss Laing--a motive you will perhaps discover ere long," and he smiled mysteriously. "Very well," I exclaimed, after a brief pause. Then again shaking his hand, I left, after expressing thanks and promising to send Juckes to the Embassy that evening. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. SOME SURPRISES. Several weeks passed uneventfully. In fulfilment of my promise to Sonia I had obtained the required permit and taken it personally to Pembroke Road on the same evening, but on arrival there discovered that the pretty Russian had been unexpectedly summoned to the bedside of a sick friend. She had, however, left a note with the English maid asking me to enclose the document in an envelope and leave it. "I regret it is impossible for me to be at home to receive you," she wrote in French, "but I have every confidence that you will secure me what I require. If you leave it for me I will, in return, write down and send you the facts I promised to reveal. Time presses, therefore kindly excuse my haste. I shall always remember your kindness and be ready to render you any service in return." This was disappointing. I had hoped to hear from her own lips her promised revelations, but this being impossible, I enclosed the special permit in an envelope, sealed it and left it, together with a brief note warning her that she was being carefully watched by police agents, and promising to call next day and bid her farewell. When on the following morning I presented myself at her house, I was informed by the maid that mademoiselle had left early to visit her sick friend, and that she would not return till evening. Inquiry showed that she had received my letter, and when at eight o'clock that night I again called in the expectation of obtaining the fulfilment of her promise to tell me of Ella, I found her still absent, and gathered from the servant that she had taken a travelling-trunk with her. I concluded that she had left secretly for Russia.