After dinner that evening Merton and I settled ourselves in my little
salon with coffee, cognac, and cigars. Merton said:
"Are we safe here?"
"Yes. There are two doors, and the outer one I have locked. My last
valet was a spy. The information he got for their Foreign Office must
have been valuable. My present man--the fellow who waited on us just
now--is also a spy," and upon this I told the captain of my
arrangement with Alphonse.
He was much amused. "Can you really trust him?" he said.
"Yes, he has an old mother whom I have seen and have helped. I believe
that it is his desire and interest to serve me and at the same time to
keep his place as a paid spy."
"What a droll arrangement! And are you really sure of him?"
"Yes, as far as one can be sure of any one in this tangle of spies."
"But does he not--must he not--seem to earn his outside pay?"
"Yes, seem. I will call him in. He will talk if I assure him that he
is safe."
"Delightful--most delightful! By all means!"