"I assert that other countries are not falling into line with our lamentable abnegation of all secret service defence, and that, in plain words, my uncle was murdered by an agent of one of these countries, in order that the dispatch which had come into his hands should not be decoded and passed on to your Government." The Right Honourable gentleman smiled slightly.

He was a man of some natural politeness, but he found it hard to altogether conceal his incredulity.
"Well, Lord Dorminster," he promised, "I will consider all that you have said.

Is there anything more I can do for you ?" "Yes!" Nigel replied boldly.

"Induce the Cabinet to reestablish our Intelligence Department and secret service, even on a lesser scale, and don't rest until you have discovered exactly what it is they are plotting against us somewhere on the continent." "To carry out your suggestions, Lord Dorminster," the Minister pointed out, "would be to be guilty of an infringement of the spirit of the League of Nations, the existence of which body is, we believe, a practical assurance of our safety." Nigel rose to his feet.
"As man to man, sir," he said, "I see you don't believe a word of what I have been telling you." "As man to man," the other admitted pleasantly, as he touched the bell, "I think you have been deceived." * * * * * Nigel, even as a prophet of woe, was a very human person and withal a philosopher.

He strolled along Piccadilly and turned into Bond Street, thoroughly enjoying one of the first spring days of the season.