She put down her book.

“I have been insulted in this house,” she said.  “To-morrow I leave it.”

Seaman shook his head reproachfully.

“Your Highness,” he continued, “believe me, I do not wish to presume upon my position.  I am only a German tradesman, admitted to the circles like these for reasons connected solely with the welfare of my country.  Yet I know much, as it happens, of the truth of this matter, the matter which is causing you distress.  I beg you to reconsider your decision.  Our friend here is, I think, needlessly hard upon himself.  So much the greater will be his reward when the end comes.  So much the greater will be the rapture with which he will throw himself on his knees before you.”

“Has he sent you to reason with me?”

“Not directly.  I am to a certain extent, however, his major-domo in this enterprise.  I brought him from Africa.  I have watched over him from the start.  Two brains are better than one.  I try to show him where to avoid mistakes, I try to point out the paths of danger and of safety.”

“I should imagine Sir Everard finds you useful,” she remarked calmly.

“I hope he does.”

“It has doubtless occurred to you,” she continued, “that our friend has accommodated himself wonderfully to English life and customs?”

“You must remember that he was educated here.  Nevertheless, his aptitude has been marvellous.”

“One might almost call it supernatural,” she agreed.  “Tell me, Mr. Seaman, you seem to have been completely successful in the installation of our friend here as Sir Everard.  What is going to be his real value to you?  What work will he do?”

“We are keeping him for the big things.  You have seen our gracious master lately?” he added hesitatingly.

“I know what is at the back of your mind,” she replied.  “Yes!  Before the summer is over I am to pack up my trunks and fly.  I understand.”

“It is when that time comes,” Seaman said impressively, “that we expect Sir Everard Dominey, the typical English country gentleman, of whose loyalty there has never been a word of doubt, to be of use to us.  Most of our present helpers will be under suspicion.  The authorised staff of our secret service can only work underneath.  You can see for yourself the advantage we gain in having a confidential correspondent who can day by day reflect the changing psychology of the British mind in all its phases.  We have quite enough of the other sort of help arranged for.  Plans of ships, aerodromes and harbours, sailings of convoys, calling up of soldiers—­all these are the A B C of our secret service profession.  We shall never ask our friend here for a single fact, but, from his town house in Berkeley Square, the host of Cabinet Ministers, of soldiers, of the best brains of the country, our fingers will never leave the pulse of Britain’s day by day life.”

Stephanie threw herself back in her easy-chair and clasped her hands behind her head.