would further my plans. The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was excellent. The streets are full of these boys in khaki. All empty-headed young fools. . . . Yet I do not know. . . . They won the war. . . . It disturbs me. . . .
". . . My plans are going well. . . . A girl butted in—I do not think she really knew anything. . . . But we must give up the Esthonia. . . . No risks now. . . .
". . . All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot be a fake. No girl could deceive me! . . .
". . . The 29th. . . . That is very soon. . . ." Mr. Carter paused.
"I will not read the details of the coup that was planned. But there are just two small entries that refer to the three of you. In the light of what happened they are interesting.
". . . By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I have succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes that might be dangerous. . . . She must be got out of the way. . . . I can do nothing with the American. He suspects and dislikes me. But he cannot know. I fancy my armour is impregnable. . . . Sometimes I fear I have underestimated the other boy. He is not clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to facts. . . ."
Mr. Carter shut the book.
"A great man," he said. "Genius, or insanity, who can say?"
There was silence.
Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
