The Prince crossed the room, unlocked one of the smaller safes, which stood against the side of the wall, withdrew a morocco-bound volume the size of a small portfolio, and returned to Dominey.

“I beg you,” he said earnestly, “to read this with the utmost care and to await my instructions with regard to it.  You can judge, no doubt,” he went on a little bitterly, “why I give it into your keeping.  Even the Embassy here is not free from our own spies, and the existence of these memoirs is known.  The moment I reach Germany, their fate is assured.  I am a German and a patriot, although my heart is bitter against those who are bringing this blot upon our country.  For that reason, these memoirs must be kept in a safe place until I see a good use for them.”

“You mean if the governing party in German should change?”

“Precisely!  They would then form at once my justification, and place English diplomacy in such a light before the saner portion of my fellow countrymen that an honourable peace might be rendered possible.  Study them carefully, Von Ragastein.  Perhaps even your own allegiance to the Party you serve may waver for a moment as you read.”

“I serve no Party,” Dominey said quietly, “only my Country.”

Terniloff sighed.

“Alas! there is no time for us to enter into one of our old arguments on the ethics of government.  I must send you away, Von Ragastein.  You have a terrible task before you.  I am bound to wish you Godspeed.  For myself I shall not raise my head again until I have left England.”

“There is no other commission?” Dominey asked.  “No other way in which I can serve you?”

“None,” Terniloff answered sadly.  “I am permitted to suffer no inconveniences.  My departure is arranged for as though I were royalty.  Yet believe me, my friend, every act of courtesy and generosity which I receive in these moments, bites into my heart.  Farewell!”

Dominey found a taxicab in Pall Mall and drove back to Berkeley Square.  He found Rosamund with a little troop of dogs, just entering the gardens, and crossed to her side.

“Dear,” he asked, taking her arm, “would you mind very much coming down to Norfolk for a few days?”

“With you?” she asked quickly.

“Yes!  I want to be in retreat for a short time.  There are one or two things I must settle before I take up some fresh work.”

“I should love it,” she declared enthusiastically.  “London is getting so hot, and every one is so excited.”

“I shall order the touring car at three o’clock,” Dominey told her.  “We shall get home about nine.  Parkins and your maid can go down by train.  Does that suit you?”

“Delightfully!”

He took her arm and they paced slowly along the hot walk.

“Rosamund dear,” he said, “the time has come which many people have been dreading.  We are at war.”

“I know,” she murmured.