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to atone if occasion
offered.
The industry of the Alsatian was equalled by his perspicacity; he soon
fathomed the intentions of the chairman and understood that the chief
purpose of the committee was the exact opposite of that which its
flowing terms of reference were intended to convey.
In a small room, as far as possible removed from the one in which the
committee had their meetings, Klein sat like a mole delving into
documents and preparing the interim report for which the Government
had been pressed in Parliament. Here, when the day was over and Sir
Matthew had at last taken his departure, Tarleton would join him. It
frequently happened that they did not finish their labours until nearly
midnight. On such occasions Tarleton would go to his club to dine,
whilst Klein would make his way to some neighbouring restaurant, but
after a time the two men seemed to draw nearer to each other, until one
day Tarleton suggested that Klein should dine with him. Over a cigar in
the club smoking-room, the secretary for the first time expressed
himself freely to his colleague.
"I feel I ought to tell you, Klein, that at first I was foolish enough to
feel a little--"
He broke off, hesitating to use a word which might hurt the other's
feelings.
"I know exactly what you mean, Tarleton, and I do not in the least

blame you. You are probably not aware that many of us Alsatians have
German names, but if you knew more of my life you would know what
good cause I have for hating the Germans more than any Englishman
can possibly hate them. Some day, perhaps, I shall have a chance of
telling you."
Klein's eyes flashed under their drooping lids. Tarleton warmed to him
and began to talk about the committee and especially about the
chairman.
"This has been a tremendous eye-opener to me, Klein," he said. "I must
tell you that, in my innocence, I never imagined that the proceedings of
a committee could be conducted in such a fashion. I must confess I do
not understand the object of it."
Klein smiled significantly.
"I do," he remarked.
"What do you mean, Klein?"
"It is quite simple. There are things which the Government does not
desire to be known, and that is why they selected a man like Bale for
chairman. You see, Tarleton, we're accustomed to that sort of thing in
France."
"But we aren't," remarked Tarleton, "and I think it's--something ought
to be done," he added.
"Something can be done," said Klein.
"How?"
"I suppose you've heard of Blum & Co.?"
The secretary stared at him. "No, I've never heard of them."
"Well, Blum & Co. is Sir Matthew's firm, and Mr. Blum would be an
exceedingly interesting witness."
Tarleton almost jumped out of his chair. "Good Lord!" he said
excitedly, "you don't mean--"
"I mean just exactly that," Klein continued in his heavy way. "Moritz
Blum is Bale's partner, and he's one of the biggest scamps in the City.
Now supposing I give the tip to a member of the committee to call
him."
Tarleton could hardly believe his ears. Here was retribution for Sir
Matthew with a vengeance! But he hesitated.
"Would it be square, do you think? I mean, wouldn't it be treacherous
towards the chairman?"

"That seems to depend upon which you put first--the chairman or the
country. For my part, the only thing that matters is that if we are able to
expose anything that helps the enemy, we should do so, and here's our
chance."
"D'you really mean that, Klein?"
"Mean it? Of course I mean it. Blum & Co. are amongst the largest
shareholders in the Swedenborg Coal and Iron Smelting Company, in
Stockholm; they have sold and are selling thousands of tons of pig-iron
to the German Government. What do you say to that?"
"How on earth do you know?" ejaculated Tarleton almost breathlessly.
Klein fixed his eyes on the other significantly.
"I haven't been in the City for twelve years for nothing," he answered.
"It's a difficult position for me." Tarleton spoke reflectively. "Loyalty
to one's chairman is a tradition in the Government service. And though
I despise Bale, I don't see my way to expose him. You see, it means the
ruin of all his hopes."
"Tant pis pour lui. Doesn't he always say himself our first duty is to
consider the true interest of the nation? Now, is it in the true interest of
the nation that the Germans should get this pig-iron? Tell me that,
Tarleton."
The secretary made no reply. Indeed, none was needed, for the answer
was obvious.
* * * * *
Two days later there was an important meeting of the committee, at
which a full attendance had been