“Yes, your Grace.”

“What about the maps?”

“I have done them also to the best of my ability, sir,” I answered.  “I am not a very expert draughtsman, I am afraid, but these are at least accurate.  If you would care to look them over, they are in the library safe.”

“And the code word?”

In accordance with our usual custom I scribbled it upon a piece of paper, and held it for a moment before his eyes.  Then I carefully destroyed it.

“To-morrow,” he said, “perhaps to-night, we have some railway men coming down to thoroughly discuss the most efficient method of moving troops from Aldershot and London to different points, and to inaugurate a fresh system.  You had better hold yourself in readiness to come up to the house at any moment.  They are business men, and their time is valuable.  They will probably want to work from the moment of their arrival until they go.”

“Very good, your Grace,” I answered.

He turned his head and looked at me for a moment reflectively.

“You remember our conversation at the War Office, Mr. Ducaine?”

“Yes, your Grace.”

“I do not wish you to have a false impression as to my meaning at that time,” he said coldly.  “I do not, I have never, doubted your trustworthiness.  My feeling was, and is, that you are somewhat young and of an impetuous disposition for a post of such importance.  That feeling was increased, of course, by the fact that I considered your story with reference to the Prince of Malors improbable to the last degree.  In justice to you,” he continued more slowly, “I must now admit the possibility that your description of that incident may after all be in accordance with the facts.  Certain facts have come to my knowledge which tend somewhat in that direction.  I shall consider it a favour, therefore, if you will consider my remarks at that interview retracted.”

“I thank your Grace very much,” I answered.

“With reference to the other matter,” he continued, “there my opinion remains unaltered.  I do not believe that the papers in the safe were touched after you yourself deposited them there, and I consider your statement to the contrary a most unfortunate one.  But the fact remains that you have done your work faithfully, and the Council is satisfied with your services.  That being so, you may rely upon it that any feeling I may have in the matter I shall keep to myself.”

I would have expressed my gratitude to him, but he checked me.

“There is,” he said, “one other, a more personal matter, concerning which I desired a few words with you.  I have had a visit from a relative of yours who is also an old friend of my own.  I refer to Sir Michael Trogoldy.”

I looked at him in amazement.  I was, in fact, so surprised that I said nothing at all.

“Sir Michael, it seems, has been making inquiries about you, and learned of your present position,” the Duke continued.  “He asked me certain questions which I was glad to be able to answer on your behalf.  He also entrusted me with a note, which I have here in my pocket.”