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Damien. This organisation, of which we speak, appears to possess men who are past masters in the art of mimicry and make-up. The high officials in whose possession were the plans in question were impersonated, and so perfect was the impersonation that not the slightest suspicion was roused. Either on the same night or on adjacent nights these officials were apparently seen to arrive at the buildings in which the plans were secreted. They were in each case accompanied by a staff officer. Enquiry proved that in reality neither of the gentlemen has visited his office at night forsome considerable time, thus it is obvious that men made up to represent them were seen, not they. Both officials are of similar height, and were probably impersonated by the same individual. It is also significant that the staff officers impersonated are of like build. It is my opinion that the man masquerading in each case as a staff officer was an expert safe-breaker. If that was done in London, it could equally well be done in Paris.’
    ‘ Mon Dieu !’ The startled look on Monsieur Damien’s face was almost ludicrous. ‘What effrontery! What impudence! No longer can I hope that the letters to my government were the work of a fraud or an imbecile. Messieurs, it is a very grave situation. Undoubtedly the villains are domiciled within the shores of England, therefore I am helpless to assist, but my wishes, and the wishes of all good Frenchmen, will be with you in your efforts to destroy the organisation. You have my word on behalf of the French Government,’ he added somewhat naively, ‘that the advances of these people will be treated with contempt. France will, under no circumstances, purchase the copies of the plans of the military secrets which have been stolen from Great Britain.’
    Sir Leonard smiled at the Foreign Secretary. Almost it seemed as though his left eyelid fluttered in a wink.
    ‘It is gratifying to be assured of that, monsieur,’ he observed drily. ‘In return, I am in a position to be able to inform you that His Majesty’s Government is not likely to bid for information concerning the secret treaties which were offered for sale. You asked me a little while ago why I smiled. I will tell you: all nations that have been approached by this organisation have been invited to insert a notice of their willingness to negotiate in the personal column of The Times , just as you were. It is good to know thatFrance does not intend to make a bid. Unfortunately, however, that decision helps Great Britain very little. Germany and Russia were approached in the same manner, and both have inserted the required acceptances in The Times .’
    ‘I see,’ murmured Damien. ‘I regret very much that the decision of my country is of so little help to Great Britain. It appears now that we are asking for much, but in return giving nothing. I am sorry.’
    ‘You forget, monsieur,’ returned Wallace, ‘that in endeavouring to save France from a great blow, we shall also be serving ourselves. It is necessary for us to obtain possession of the copies of the plans that have been stolen from us, and—’
    ‘Ah, yes, monsieur, that is true,’ interposed the Frenchman earnestly, ‘but what comparison can there be between certain secret details in the construction of a gun and an aeroplane being made public, and Germany being put in complete possession of all details concerning our frontier fortifications? The latter would probably mean tragedy and disaster for France, the former merely inconvenience to Britain. Even if France agrees to the demands of these blackmailers, and preserves her frontier secrets, she will be compelled to pay two hundred million francs. Think of it, gentlemen!’
    ‘In any case,’ observed the Foreign Secretary, ‘it is essential that this band should be broken up. With Europe in its present unsettled state, this general auctioning of national secrets must eventually mean serious trouble. It is bound to increase distrust