"No, monsieur, poor Francois does not know. Shall I tell madame
that monsieur will be here shortly?

"Thank you, monsieur. The good God will bless you."

Paulvitch hung up the receiver and turned to grin at Rokoff.

"It will take him thirty minutes to get there. If you reach the
German minister's in fifteen, De Coude should arrive at his home
in about forty-five minutes. It all depends upon whether the fool
will remain fifteen minutes after he finds that a trick has been
played upon him; but unless I am mistaken Olga will be loath to let
him go in so short a time as that. Here is the note for De Coude.
Hasten!"

Paulvitch lost no time in reaching the German minister's. At the
door he handed the note to a footman. "This is for the Count de
Coude. It is very urgent. You must see that it is placed in his
hands at once," and he dropped a piece of silver into the willing
hand of the servant. Then he returned to his quarters.

A moment later De Coude was apologizing to his host as he tore
open the envelope. What he read left his face white and his hand
trembling.

MONSIEUR LE COUNT DE COUDE:

One who wishes to save the honor of your name takes this means to
warn you that the sanctity of your home is this minute in jeopardy.