“Your Uncle Maurice, then,” I said, “was the uncle who lived in Paris—­whom you knew best?”

She nodded.

“Yes!  I have had to call him Ferdinand over here.  It was hateful, but they all said that it was necessary.”

A motor drew up outside.  The Chinese ambassador stepped out with more haste than I had ever seen him use, and by his side a man in dark clothes and silk hat, who from the first I suspected to be a bank manager.  The Brazilian minister welcomed them on the threshold.

“You are looking for Delora?” he exclaimed.

The Chinese ambassador looked around at the little circle.  His face was emotionless, yet he spoke with a haste which was unusual.

“It is true that I seek him,” he said.  “This morning he has cashed a cheque for two hundred thousand pounds.  I do not understand.  There is a part of our bargain which he has not kept.”

A gleam of intelligence flitted into the face of the newly discovered Delora.  He stepped forward.

“It is in order,” he said.  “You have taken over from my brother, who represents the Brazilian Government, two new battleships.”

“That is so,” His Excellency answered, “but I want the indemnity of your ambassador.”

“I cannot give it you,” the ambassador declared, “until I have received the money.”

“Where is Delora?” some one asked.

We looked around.  The same suspicion was in the minds of all of us.  Delora had fled!  I drew my arm through Felicia’s, and led her to the lift.

“Dear,” I said, “you must come upstairs with me.”

She clung to me a little hysterically.

“What do they mean?” she said.  “It is not true that my uncle has been working for the Government?”

“It is true enough,” I answered.  “The only point for doubt is what he has done with the money he received on their account.  Your Uncle Ferdinand there was the person who was intrusted with the plans and commission.  For some reason or other your Uncle Maurice has carried it through, and to tell you the truth, I believe he has gone off with the money.  If you take my advice you will bring your Uncle Ferdinand upstairs, and the lady who is with him, if you like, and let the others fight it out.”

She took my advice.  The new Delora was exhausted, and without any complete comprehension of what had taken place.  Felicia busied herself attending to him.  Then a sudden idea struck me.  I opened the door of the further bedchamber softly and stood face to face with Delora.  There was a quick flash, and I looked into the muzzle of a revolver.  Delora was apparently preparing for flight.  He had changed his clothes, and a small handbag, ready packed, was upon the bed.

“So it’s you, you d—­d interfering Englishman!” he said.  “There’s no one I’d sooner send to perdition!”

I stood quite still.  I could not exactly see what was best to be done, for the man’s hand was steady, and I scarcely saw how I could escape if indeed he pressed the trigger.