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 mass of infirmity in the wheel-chair held, without doubt, a power with which he could not cope. On the face of it the notion that a man could be violently made away with in a crowded London hotel might seem melodramatic and improbable, but the experience of the last few minutes had shown him how readily it could be done by a chief as well served as Ziegler appeared to be. And if he was at the man’s mercy in a crowded hostelry like the Cecil, where would he be safe? Yes, if he was to enjoy his dukedom, he would have to go through with his task.

“Well, give me my instructions. What am I to do?” he said, stiffly.

“You have made a very good beginning already,” replied Ziegler, watching him narrowly through the tinted glasses. “A gentleman, acting on behalf of the United States Government, will shortly bring to this country the three million pounds’ worth of Treasury bonds which we mean to have. It will be your task to relieve him of the paper, substituting bonds of our own make, which will be deposited at the Bank of England as security against a shipment of gold.”

“I see,” the Duke murmured, mechanically.