And she gave me her hand.

“I want to be frank with you, too,” I said, “so, whatever happens to me, you won’t feel I have deceived you about things.  I can’t say much because my secret is not healthy for anyone to share, and, should they trace any connection between you and me, if they get me, it will be better for you not to have known anything compromising.  But I want to tell you this.  There is a consideration at stake which is higher than my own safety, higher even than Francis’.  I don’t believe I am afraid to die:  if I escape here, I shall probably get killed at the front sooner or later:  it is because of this consideration I speak of that I want to get away with my life back to England.”

Monica laughed happily.

“Why do men always take us women to be fools?” she said.  “You’re a dangerous man to have around, Des, I know that, without worrying my head about any old secret.  But you are my friend and Francis’ brother and I’m going to help you.

“Now, listen!  Old von Boden was at that party last night:  he came in late.  Rudi von Boden, he told me, is going to take despatches to Rumania, to Mackensen’s head-quarters.  Well, I telephoned the old man this morning and asked him if Rudi would take a parcel for me to Karl.  He said he would and the General is coming here to lunch to-day to fetch it.

“Von Boden is an old beast and runs after every woman he meets.  He is by way of being partial to me, if you please, sir.  I think I should be able to find out from him what are the latest developments in your case.  There’s nothing in the paper this morning about the affair at the Esplanade.  But then, these things are always hushed up.”

“He’ll hardly say much in the circumstances,” I objected “After all, the Kaiser is involved....”

“My dear Des, opinion of feminine intelligence in military circles in this country is so low that the women in the army set at Court are very often far better informed than the General Staff.  Von Boden will tell me all I want to know.”

What a girl she was!

“About your friend, the clubfooted man,” she went on, “I’m rather puzzled.  He must be a person of considerable importance to be fetched by special train straight into the Emperor’s private apartments, where very few people ever penetrate, I assure you.  But I’ve never heard of him.  He’s certainly not a Court official.  Nor is he the head of the Political Police ... that’s Henninger, a friend of Karl’s.  Still, there are people of great importance working in dark places in this country and I guess Clubfoot must be one of them.

“Now, I think I ought to take you into Gerry.  I want to speak to you about him, Des.  I daren’t tell him who you are.  Gerry’s not himself.  He’s been a nervous wreck ever since his accident and I can’t trust him.  He’s a very conventional man and his principles would never hear of me harbouring a ... a ...”

“Spy?” I suggested.