The Lighted Match

He knew that his greatest danger lay in the possibility of communication

by the conspirators with the Duke or the Countess, but he had been

assured that Marie Astaride was in Cairo and it could safely be assumed

that Delgado would return to Galavia only at the psychological moment.

If either of these assumptions were false Louis would, of course,

recognize the description of his kidnapper. The Countess would connect

the episode of the ring with the former checkmating of her plans. At all

events, he must chance those possibilities.

This time the Consulate was discreetly shut in by drawn jealousies.

Within, beside Reebeler himself, were a number of men, all of whom

narrowly scrutinized the newcomer. Those who were not in uniform

carried themselves with a cocky smartness that belied their civilian

clothes. The man from Cadiz returned their gaze with the same

imperturbable steadiness and the same concealed wariness which he had

employed when, in the Plaza de Toros, he awaited the charge of the

bull.

For a time they allowed him to stand in silence under the embarrassing

batteries of their eyes, then an elderly officer assumed the position of

spokesman.

"If you are a spy your experience will be brief," he announced.

Blanco smiled.

"That is as it should be, Señor. Spies are not entitled to an old

age."

"We are going to test you," continued the officer. "We have need of men

of courage. If, as you claim, the Duke sent you, he must have done so

because he regarded you as available. If you prove trustworthy, all

right. If not, it is your misfortune, because in the place where we mean

to use you you will have no opportunity to betray us, and a very

excellent opportunity of meeting death. We cannot now communicate with

His Grace for corroboration, so we shall let you prove yourself. You

seem to bear no message from the Duke. That has the smell of suspicion."

"On the contrary," retorted the Spaniard, "the Duke believed that a man

who was a stranger might prove of value. I was to take my instructions

from you."

Blanco wondered vaguely what the future held for him. Evidently their

acceptance of his services was to bear a close resemblance to

imprisonment. He could see in the programme small opportunity to serve

the King. His instructions had been to win into their confidence and do

what he could.

* * * * *

Two weeks later, in the small garden giving off from the King's private

apartments, and perched half-way up the buttressed side of the rock on

which sat the Palace, Karyl impatiently awaited the coming of Colonel

Von Ritz. Below he could hear a brass band in the Botanical Gardens and

out in the bay a German war-ship, decorated for a dance, blazed like a

set piece in a pyrotechnic display.