“My own political career, Mr. Ducaine,” he said, “has been a long one, but I have never before found myself confronted with such a situation.  Even you can doubtless realize its effect.  The whole good of our work is undone.  If we cannot recommence, and with different results, I am afraid, as an Englishman, to say what may happen.  War between England and France to-day would be like a great game of chess between two masters of equal strength—­one having a secret knowledge of his opponent’s each ensuing move.  You can guess what the end of that would be.  Our only hope is at once to reconstruct our plans.  We are hard at it now by day and by night, but the time has arrived when we can go no further without a meeting, and the actual committal to paper and diagram of our new schemes.  We have discussed the whole matter most carefully, and we have come to the following decision.  We have reduced the number of the Board by half, those who have resigned, with certain exceptions, having done so by ballot.  We have decided that instead of holding our meetings at the War Office they shall take place down here at the Duke’s house, and so far as possible secretly.  Then, as regards the secretaryship.  No shadow of suspicion rests upon Lord Ronald any more than upon his predecessors, but, as you may have read in the newspapers, he has temporarily lost his reason owing to the shock, and has been obliged to go to a private home.  We have decided to engage some one absolutely without political connexions, and whose detachment from political life must be complete.  You have had a warm advocate in Colonel Mostyn Ray, and, subject to some stringent and absolute conditions, I may say that we have decided to offer you the post.”

I looked from one to the other.  I have no doubt that I looked as bewildered as I felt.

“I am a complete stranger to all of you,” I murmured.  “I am not deserving in any way of such a position.”

Lord Chelsford smiled.

“You underrate yourself, young man,” he said drily, “or your college professors have wandered from the truth.  Still, your surprise is natural, I admit.  I will explain a little further.  Our choice is more limited than you might think.  At least fifty names were proposed, all of them of young men of the highest character.  Each one, however, had some possibly doubtful relative or association or custom in life.  It is evident that there is treachery somewhere in the very highest quarters.  These young men were sure to be brought into contact with it.  Now it was Ray’s idea to seek for some one wholly outside the diplomatic world, living in a spot remote from London, with as few friends as possible, who would have no sentimental objections to the surveillance of detectives.  You appear to us to be suitable.”

“It is a wonderful offer!” I exclaimed.