He is systematically apprised of everything that occurs at court, in the city, or in the council chamber.

So you see, he is being well served, whether to an evil purpose or to satisfy his own innate curiosity, I do not know.

He has reports almost daily,--voluminous things, partly in cipher, partly free, and he is forever sending men away on secret, mysterious missions.

Understand, I do not know that he is actually planning disaster to Graustark.

Day before yesterday I saw his secretary in the streets--a man who has been in his employ for five years or more and who now pretends to be a lawyer here.