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308 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

11 Sorry to see you so much disturbed, sir. What can I do?"

" Get me Bradshaw," said Swynford.

" Yes, sir."

" The Continental Bradshaw," said Swynford.

"Yes, sir," said the servant, laying the book upon the table before Swynford, who had now sat down with calm deliberation at his writing desk.

" Telegraph forms, Devereux."

" Yes, sir," said Devereux, handing the forms and pencil to him with military promptitude.

Swynford wrote :

11 Thanks for your telegram; very sorry; am prevented at last moment from dining with you; will explain at future day ; my sincere regards and regrets."

" Send that at once to the Parthenon Club."

" Yes, sir."

Devereux disappeared ; rang his own private bell for his own private servant, a boy in buttons as bright as his own eyes, who disappeared with the message.

When Devereux returned Swynford was deep in the study of Bradshaw.

" Pack my foreign trunk at once, Devereux. Order the brougham to be at the door at twenty minutes to nine to the minute. Pack what you think I shall require. I am going to Italy. Shall go straight through from Dover to Milan. Be ready to accompany me."

" Yes, sir."

" Leave the house keeper in charge here. Wire at once to Atkins that my address is Damiano's Hotel, Venice j to send on his report and all letters from the city by first mail to-morrow. Now you have not a moment to lose, nor have I."

" All shall be ready as you wish, sir, to the minute."