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 *lieved in his expressions of disgust at the mission. I took the letter readily enough, and was indeed glad that my little ruse had succeeded so completely. Then I gave it a finishing touch.

"I suppose he'll expect you to report what I said. Well, here's the answer." I struck a match and set fire to the letter, holding it until it was consumed. "It's not of the least consequence, I assure you, for I took the precaution to send off a duplicate in proper disguise."

"The devil you did. I'm infernally glad to hear it. I love to hear of old Crafty being licked at his own game." Then he started and rapped the table as he laughed and asked: "Was that a decoy? Oh, that's lovely. I won't tell him. I hate the old tyrant, and he knows it; but he knows, too, that I'm horribly afraid of him. And that's what he likes. Gad, that's good!" and he lay back in his chair and laughed aloud at the thought of the General being outwitted. "And he was so damned serious, too, that I know he thought he'd done a mighty smart thing."

He was obviously sincere, and it was impossible not to see that he thoroughly enjoyed what he deemed a good joke. When he had had his laugh out, he gave a little sigh of relief as he said:

"Well, that's over, and I hope you'll acquit me of any personal part in the matter or humbug."

"My dear sir, I acquit you of everything except of having done an unpleasant thing pleasantly," I answered, cordially.

"Thanks. And now, is your stay going to be very short in Sofia? I must tell you before you answer that that's a thing old Crafty told me to find out. I suppose he has some underground reason or other? He's a beggar for that."