This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
 
The Duke Decides

the Bank of England against a shipment of English gold to the United States.”

“He’s got the opening he wanted. Now, what on earth is he going to do with it?” said the General to himself as he watched keenly.

“Rather a dangerous mission, I should say,” was the Duke’s comment on the information imparted to him.

“Dangerous! How can that be?’ Leonie exclaimed, wondering. “United States Treasury bonds are not explosive.”

“No, but the world is full of sharps, Miss Sherman, and some of them might fancy having a shy for such a haul,” said Beaumanoir with a trace more of earnestness than the occasion seemed to require. “If I had a relative starting on such an errand, I should be inclined to cable him to—ah—to look out for himself,” he added in direct appeal to Mrs. Sherman.

But the good lady laughed the suggestion to scorn, alleging playfully that “it would be as much as her place was worth” to tackle the Senator that way. It would be a hint that he wasn’t able to take care of himself or of his charge, and would be resented accordingly.

The Duke abandoned the subject, but the

[72]