I needed money desperately, and the man who brought the check to me suggested I should raise it! Since then I have tried to repay that money with interest a dozen times, but they have always laughed and told me they preferred to leave matters as they are." "What would be the use of returning to British territory, then ?" asked Fred.

"If they hold that over you, they can denounce you at any time." "Not they!" she answered.

"Not if I get there first! I know too much! I can tell too much! I can prove too much! If I were once arrested on the charge of raising that check, no government in the world would listen to me.

But if I can tell my story first, and confess about the check, and explain why the charge is likely to be brought against me, then there will be Downing Street officials who know how to whisper to the German Embassy words that will frighten them into silence! I can prove too much against the German government, if only I can tell my tale before they crush me!" "Why not write it ?" asked Fred, and it seemed to me there was humor in his eye, but she only detected stubbornness, and laughed scornfully.
"My own maid even gave them the letters written to me by my sister! If I should be suspected of writing they would never rest until they had the letter!" "Give me your letter to mail!" suggested Fred maliciously.
"Deluded man!" she sneered.

"All the letters you have written since you came to Muanza lie in a drawer in the commandant's desk! I myself have read them!" In the dark, with shifting shadows thrown by the cheap trade lantern, it was difficult to judge what was going on behind that beard of Fred's.