"There's been a mistake," I protested. " If you'd only allow me to explain "
"You are not here to explain," he said with an air of tranquil authority. " You're here to receive orders. You are already two days late, and, what is worse, it will take the whole of our organization to get you safely away from Geneva. It is solely due to our vigilance that the complete description of your personal appearance and the warrant for your arrest, which have been forwarded to Geneva by the Zürich police, have not yet reached their destination."
He paused for the fraction of a second.
"One moment," I interrupted ; " may I be permitted to know who is addressing me?"
"Our names do not immediately concern you," replied the man with the beard. "For the moment I have the honour to be your grandmother, an
