The Emperor is the most generous paymaster in the world, and he is beyond measure impatient at the manner in which the campaign in the Peninsula is dragging on.

He has spoken of it as an ulcer that is draining the Empire of its resources.
For the man who could render him the service of disclosing the weak spot in this armour, the Achilles heel of the British, there would be a reward beyond all your possible dreams.

Obtain the plans, then, and--" He checked abruptly.

The door had opened, and in a Venetian mirror facing him upon the wall the major caught the reflection of a British uniform, the stiff gold collar surmounted by a bronzed hawk face with which he was acquainted.
"I beg your pardon, gentlemen," said the officer in Portuguese, "I was looking for--" His voice became indistinct, so that they never knew who it was that he had been seeking when he intruded upon their privacy.

The door had closed again and the reflection had vanished from the mirror.