The happy-go-luck years of peace and plenty had suddenly come to an end.

Black tragedy leaned over the land.
Dominey, avoiding acquaintances as far as possible, his own mind in a curious turmoil, passed down St.James's Street and along Pall Mall and presented himself at Carlton House Terrace.

Externally, the great white building, with its rows of flower boxes, showed no signs of undue perturbation.

Inside, however, the anteroom was crowded with callers, and it was only by the intervention of Terniloff's private secretary, who was awaiting him, that Dominey was able to reach the inner sanctum where the Ambassador was busy dictating letters.

He broke off immediately his visitor was announced and dismissed every one, including his secretaries.