been a hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination. He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. Also he had a nervous way of looking over his shoulder with a swift, suspicious glance. She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. There were beads of perspiration on his brow. He was evidently in a state of overmastering fear. And yet he did not strike her as the kind of man who would be afraid to meet death! “Yes?” Her grave eyes met his inquiringly. He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution. “It must be!” he muttered to himself. “Yes--it is the only way.” Then aloud he said abruptly: “You are an American?” “Yes.” “A patriotic one?” The girl flushed. “I guess you’ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I am!” “Don’t be offended. You wouldn’t be if you knew how much there was at stake. But I’ve got to trust some one--and it must be a woman.” “Why?” “Because of ‘women and children first.’” He looked round and lowered his voice. “I’m carrying papers--vitally important papers. They may make all the difference to the Allies in the war. You understand? These papers have _got_ to be saved! They’ve more chance with you than with me. Will you take them?” The girl held out her hand. “Wait--I must warn you. There may be a risk--if I’ve been followed. I don’t think I have, but one never knows. If so, there will be danger. Have you the nerve to go through with it?” The girl smiled. “I’ll go through with it all right. And I’m real proud to be chosen! What am I to do with them afterwards?” “Watch the newspapers! I’ll advertise in the personal column of the _Times_, beginning ‘Shipmate.’ At the end of three days if there’s nothing--well, you’ll know I’m down and out. Then take the packet to the American Embassy, and deliver it into the Ambassador’s own hands. Is that clear?” “Quite clear.” “Then be ready--I’m going to say good-bye.” He took her hand in his. “Good-bye. Good luck to you,” he said in a louder tone. Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm. The _Lusitania_ settled with a more decided list to starboard. In answer to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her place in the boat. CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD. “TOMMY, old thing!” “Tuppence, old bean!” The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily blocked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective “old” was misleading. Their united ages would certainly not have totalled forty-five. “Not seen you for simply centuries,” continued the young man. “Where are you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We’re getting a bit unpopular here--blocking the gangway as it were. Let’s get out of it.” The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards Piccadilly. “Now then,” said Tommy, “where shall we go?” The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the astute ears of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate friends for some mysterious reason as “Tuppence.” She pounced at once. “Tommy, you’re stony!” “Not a bit of it,” declared Tommy unconvincingly. “Rolling in cash.” “You always were a shocking liar,” said Tuppence severely, “though you did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor had ordered you beer as a tonic, but forgotten to write it on the chart. Do you remember?” Tommy chuckled. “I should...