"There's only one thing that can be done," Collins said sharply. "I've already pointed out what that is," and he sat down at the table and wrote a rapid message. "How will this do? 'Lord Vernon will be pleased to see the Prince of Markeld at five o'clock this afternoon. He has no recollection of having recently performed any prompt or chivalrous action. The Prince has doubtless been misinformed.' That gives us half an hour--neither too much time, nor too little." "But that's folly!" protested Blake; "how can you carry it through?" "Leave that to me. I've got out of tighter places than this one. And," he added, turning to Vernon, "if you ever looked ill in your life, prepare to do it now." Vernon was looking dreamily over Markeld's note. "He uses adjectives well, doesn't he?" he asked. "'Such a course would be neither ingenuous nor fair.' 'Pon my word, I quite agree with him!" "Remember, you're under orders," said Collins, sternly. "Under reasonable orders, perhaps," admitted Vernon, quietly, with a little tightening of the muscles of the face. "I don't admit that either you or Blake is infallible. What is it you propose to do?" "We propose, in the first place, to send Markeld this note." Vernon took it and read it at a glance. "A note which is, of course, a lie," he observed, dispassionately, as he handed it back. "It is not a lie!" retorted Collins, flushing hotly. "It is, on the contrary, the absolute truth." "There are many ways of lying," remarked Vernon, still more coolly. "It isn't so much the letter as the spirit which constitutes a lie." "This is scarcely the time," put in Blake, "for a lecture upon ethics." "And it would, in any event," added Vernon, "be entirely wasted upon the present audience. Well, what next?" "I think you understand your part," answered Collins, curtly. "The only question is, are you prepared to play it?" Vernon hesitated for an instant, his hands trembling slightly. "I feel the veriest scoundrel," he said, bitterly. "It sickens me--but you've got me fast." "Yes," agreed Collins, with a malicious grin, "we've got you fast." "Though not quite as fast as you think, perhaps," added Vernon, quietly. "I warn you that I will break the bonds if they become too galling. I see that I'm going to owe Prince Frederick a hearty apology before this thing is over." "Oh, I shan't interfere with your apology when the time conies," retorted Collins. "I should hope not," said Vernon, still more quietly; then he turned and entered the inner room. "You mustn't push him too hard, Arthur," said Blake, in a low tone, "or he'll kick over the traces. Remember, he is devilish high-spirited. And he won't lie." "It takes a firm hand to keep him under control; but I'll be careful. And he won't have to lie. It's confoundedly unfortunate Markeld couldn't have left his dog at home! Just see how small a thing may affect the fate of nations!"