Martin put the logs together with his foot, and they blazed up, lighting
with a flickering glow the incongruous group.

"He will take a glass of port," said the prince, turning to Wanda, and
indicating the decanter from which, despite his gout, he had just had
his after-dinner wine.

Wanda poured out the wine and handed it to Kosmaroff, who took it with a
glance and a quick smile of thanks, which seemed to indicate that he was
almost one of the family. And, indeed, they were closely related,
not only in the present generation, but in bygone days. For Kosmaroff
represented a family long since deemed extinct.

"I have come," he said, "to tell you that all is safe. Also to bid you
good-bye. As soon as I can get employment I shall go down to Thorn to
stir them up there. They are lethargic at Thorn."

"Ah!" laughed the prince, moving his legs to a more comfortable
position, "you young men! You think everybody is lethargic. Don't move
too quickly. That is what I always preach."

"And we are ready enough to listen to your preaching," answered
Kosmaroff. "You will admit that I came here to-night in obedience to
your opinion that too much secrecy is dangerous because it leads to
misunderstandings. Plain speaking and clear understanding was the
message you sent me--the text of your last sermon."

With his quick smile Kosmaroff touched the rim of the prince's
wineglass, which stood at his elbow, and indicated by a gesture that he