you have said can shake me."

"Then I must ask you to accompany me to the Prefecture. You will
come, I trust, on my invitation." The Chief spoke quietly, but
with considerable dignity, and he laid a slight stress upon the
last word.

"Meaning that if I do not, you will have resort to something
stronger?"

"That will be quite unnecessary, I am sure,--at least I hope so.
Still--"

"I will go where you like, only I will tell you nothing more, not
a single word; and before I start, I must let my friends at the
Embassy know where to find me."

"Oh, with all my heart," said the little detective, shrugging his
shoulders. "We will call there on our way, and you can tell the
porter. They will know where to find us."


CHAPTER XVII

Sir Charles Collingham and his escort, M. Floçon, entered a cab
together and were driven first to the Faubourg St. Honoré. The
General tried hard to maintain his nonchalance, but he was yet a
little crestfallen at the turn things had taken, and M. Floçon,
who, on the other hand, was elated and triumphant, saw it. But no
words passed between them until they arrived at the portals of the