Nigel was a little staggered.

“My friendship with Mademoiselle Karetsky,” he protested, “is scarcely likely to influence her political views.”

“I am a somewhat close observer,” Jesson continued.  “You will not ask me to believe that your conversation with mademoiselle in her box at the Opera last night related all the time to—­well, shall we say music?”

“Nigel, you never told me you were at the Opera,” Maggie intervened.  “What made you go?”

“I think that it was a message from Mademoiselle Karetsky,” Jesson suggested quietly.

Nigel smiled.

“Upon my word, I think you’re going to be a success, Jesson,” he declared.  “Perhaps you can tell me what we did talk about?”

“I believe I almost could,” was the calm reply.  “In any case, I think I see the situation as it exists.  Mademoiselle Karetsky is a wonderful woman.  She has a great, open mind.  To a certain extent, of course, she has seen things from the point of view of Paul Matinsky, Immelan, and that little coterie of Russo-Germans who see a future for both countries only in an alliance of the old-fashioned order.  Matinsky, however, has always had his doubts.  That is why he sent over here the one person whom he trusted.  Presently she will make a report, and the whole issue will remain with her.  Immelan knows this and pays her ceaseless court.  My impression, however, is that his influence is waning.  I believe that to-day he is terrified at the bare reflection of how much Naida Karetsky knows.”

“You believe that she does know exactly what is intended?” Nigel asked.

“I am perfectly certain of it,” Jesson replied.  “If she could be induced to tell us everything, my journey to Kroten might just as well be abandoned.  Yet somehow I do not think she will go so far as that.  The most that we can hope for is that she will advise Matinsky to reject Immelan’s proposals, and that she will perhaps bring some influence to bear in the same direction upon Prince Shan.”

“I am inclined to agree with Jesson,” Nigel pronounced, “inasmuch as I believe that Mademoiselle Karetsky is disposed to change or modify her views concerning us.  You see, after all, this threatened blow against England is purely a private affair of Germany’s.  There is really no reason why Russia or any other country should be dragged into it.  She is the monkey pulling the chestnuts out of the fire for her most dangerous rival.”

“Matinsky might be brought to think that way,” Chalmers observed, “but they say half the members of his Cabinet are under German influence.”

“If Matinsky believed that,” Nigel declared, “he is quite strong enough to clear them all out and make a fresh start.”

“In the meantime,” Maggie interposed, “I should like to know in what way you propose to use poor little me?  I am not to go to Germany, the man whom I at one time seriously thought of marrying is told off to engage the attentions of another woman, Mr. Jesson here is going to Kroten, and he doesn’t show the slightest inclination to take me with him.  Am I to sit here and do nothing?”