“What did she say?” he inquired.

“Nothing worth repeating.  Beware of her as well as of that man!” but she saw that he would not follow her glance and draw a serious inference from the way in which the wife and the unwelcome guest had drawn closely together.  “Fulfil your destiny,” she continued solemnly.  “Work! remain firm, pure and great!  Be useful to mankind.  Above transient things, in the unalterable, I will await you.  Do not keep me lonely too long,” was wrung from her in a doleful sob.

He could not speak, it was useless, for she knew already everything that he night say.

“At last!” ejaculated Von Sendlingen in relief, when all had gone out, as he sprang on the rifle and feverishly fingered it.  “This is the rifle of their latest finish.  What an odd arrangement!  Where the deuce is the hammer—­the trigger—­and all that goes toward making up the good old rifle of our fathers?  Oh, Science, Science! what liberties are taken in your name!” he cried in drollery too bitter not to be intended to cover his vexation.  “Mind, this rifle is included in our contract?”

“Everything,” she answered in a fever, looking toward the doorway, where her husband had disappeared with the Jewess.  “Be easy!  The rifle, the cannon, the happiness, the honor and the lives of all here—­myself as well!  If there is anything more you long for, say so!”

“Talk sensibly!” said he severely and gripping her wrist.

Restored by the pressure, she drew a long breath and said in a low voice: 

“One way or another, things will come to a head to-night.  This Jewish intriguante and the old fox her father are going away by the railway at nine o’clock, and Felix will escort them.  Antonino will be alone here, and I mean to make him my assistant as he has been my husband’s.”

“Better trust nobody! it is risky, and, besides, with an accomplice, the reward becomes less by his share.”

“How much is all?  Will you pay five million marks?”

“That’s too much.  Put it two millions—­half when you hand over the cipher, half when we hold the working drawings and Antonino’s ammunition.”

“Be it so,” she answered after a brief pause, during which both listened.  “If Antonino will help me, so much the better for him.  It would be delightful to see Italy with a native!  Now go away.  We must not be seen conversing together.”

“If the young man turns restive?” suggested the prudent spy.

“Impossible! he is charmed.  However, remember this:  Return to-night after the party has gone to the station, secrete yourself in the grounds where you can watch the drawing-room windows.  If one opens and I call, run up to aid me.  If none open to you, hasten away.  The danger with which I contend will be one which you could not overcome!”

CHAPTER XX.

ON THE EVE.