`Count Rouvaloff has given me an introduction to you, said Lord Arthur, bowing, `and I am anxious to have a short interview with you on a matter of business. My name is Smith, Mr. Robert Smith, and I want you to supply me with an explosive clock.'

`Charmed to meet you, Lord Arthur,' said the genial little German laughing. `Don't look so alarmed, it is my duty to know everybody, and I remember seeing you one evening at Lady Windermere's. I hope her ladyship is quite well. Do you mind sitting with me while I finish my breakfast? There is an excellent pâté, and my friends are kind enough to say that my Rhine wine is better than any they get at the German Embassy,' and before Lord Arthur had got over his surprise at being recognised, he found himself seated in the back-room, sipping the most delicious Marcobrünner out of a pale yellow hock-glass marked with the Imperial monogram, and chatting in the friendliest manner possible to the famous conspirator.

`Explosive clocks,' said Herr Winckelkopf, `are not very good things for foreign exportation, as, even if they succeed in passing the Custom House, the train service is so irregular, that they usually go off before they have reached their proper destination. If, however, you want one for home use, I can supply you with an excellent article, and guarantee that you will be satisfied with the result. May I ask for whom it is intended? If it is for the police, or for any one connected with Scotland Yard, I am afraid I cannot do anything for you. The English detectives are really our best friends, and I have always found that by relying on their stupidity, we can do exactly what we like. I could not spare one of them.'

`I assure you,' said Lord Arthur, `that it has nothing to do with the police at all. In fact, the clock is intended for the Dean of Chichester.'

`Dear me! I had no idea that you felt so strongly about religion, Lord Arthur. Few young men do nowadays.'

`I am afraid you overrate me, Herr Winckelkopf,' said Lord Arthur, blushing. `The fact is, I really know nothing about theology.'

`It is a purely private matter then?'

`Purely private.'

Herr Winckelkopf shrugged his shoulders, and left the room, returning in a few minutes with a round cake of dynamite about the size of a penny, and a pretty little French clock, surmounted by an ormolu figure of Liberty trampling on the hydra of Despotism.

Lord Arthur's face brightened up when he saw it. `That is just what I want,' he cried, `and now tell me how it goes off.'

`Ah! there is my secret,' answered Herr Winckelkopf, contemplating his invention with a justifiable look of pride; `let me know when you wish it to explode, and I will set the machine to the moment.'

`Well, to-day is Tuesday, and if you could send it off at once--'

`That is impossible; I have a great deal of important work on hand for some friends of mine in Moscow. Still, I might send it off to-morrow.'

`Oh, it will be quite time enough!' said Lord Arthur politely, `if it is delivered to-morrow night or Thursday morning. For the moment of the explosion, say Friday at noon exactly. The Dean is always at home at that hour.'

`Friday, at noon,' repeated Herr Winckelkopf, and he made a note to that effect in a large ledger that was lying on a bureau near the fireplace.

`And now,' said Lord Arthur, rising from his seat, `pray let me know how much I am in your debt.'