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answer, Conrad Van Straalen handed the lady the letter which General Berlaymont had written.

A slight flush crept into Doña Isidore’s face as she read the contents. Then she said: “Seigneurs, my friend is pleased to place a high value on my powers of diplomacy. I shall be glad to serve you in so interesting a matter. You are the brother of Mistress Van Straalen?”

The officer bowed.

“And Heer Chenoweth is her lover, I surmise. Here are all the materials for a charming romance. Nothing so amuses me as intrigue, and I pledge myself to do my best for you.”

“We cannot thank you enough, Doña de Cisneros,” began Conrad, but the Spanish lady cut short his expressions of gratitude.

“Wait, I beg of you,” she said, “before you thank me. Perhaps I shall fail, after all. Please call in two days and learn of my success or failure.” 196