There was nothing more said between them in the railway carriage, and, as they parted at the door in Berkeley Square, Hugh swore to himself that this should be the last season in which he would harbor his brother in London.  After this he must have a house of his own there, or have no house at all.  Then Archie went down to his club, and finally arranged with Doodles that the first visit to the spy should be made on the following morning.  After much consultation it was agreed between them that the way should be paved by a diplomatic note.  The diplomatic note was therefore written by Doodles and copied by Archie.

“Captain Clavering presents his compliments to Madam Gordeloup, and proposes to call upon her to-morrow morning at twelve o’clock, if that hour will be convenient.  Captain Clavering is desirous of consulting Madam Gordeloup on an affair of much importance.”  “Consult me!” said Sophie to herself, when she got the letter.  “For what should he consult me?  It is that stupid man I saw with Julie.  Ah, well; never mind.  The stupid man shall come.”  The commissioner, therefore, who had taken the letter to Mount Street, returned to the club with a note in which Madam Gordeloup expressed her willingness to undergo the proposed interview.  Archie felt that the letter—­a letter from a Russian spy addressed positively to himself—­gave him already diplomatic rank, and he kept it as a treasure in his breast coat-pocket.

It then became necessary that he and his friend should discuss the manner in which the spy should be managed.  Doodles had his misgivings that Archie would be awkward, and almost angered his friend by the repetition of his cautions.  “You mustn’t chuck your money at her head, you know,” said Doodles.

“Of course not; but when the time comes I shall slip the notes into her hand—­with a little pressure perhaps.”

“It would be better to leave them near her on the table.”

“Do you think so?”

“Oh, yes; a great deal.  It’s always done in that way.”

“But perhaps she wouldn’t see them—­or wouldn’t know where they came from.”

“Let her alone for that.”

“But I must make her understand what I want of her—­in return, you know.  I ain’t going to give her twenty pounds for nothing.”

“You must explain that at first; tell her that you expect her aid, and that she will find you a grateful friend—­a grateful friend, say; mind you remember that.”

“Yes; I’ll remember that.  I suppose it would be as good a way as any.”

“It’s the only way, unless you want her to ring for the servant to kick you out of the house.  It’s as well understood as A B C, among the people who do these things.  I should say take jewelry instead of money if she were anything but a Russian spy; but they understand the thing so well, that you may go further with them than with others.”

Archie’s admiration for Sophie became still higher as he heard this.  “I do like people,” said he, “who understand what’s what, and no mistake.”