maid at the hotel, I may have to look further, in which case
Monsieur--Block? thank you--would no doubt render valuable assistance."

This speech restored confidence, and a few minutes later the two
detectives, already excellent friends from the freemasonry of a common
craft, left the station in a closed cab.


CHAPTER IX

"What next?" asked the Judge.

"That pestilent English officer, if you please, M. le Juge," said the
detective. "That fire-eating, swashbuckling soldier, with his blustering
barrack-room ways. I long to come to close quarters with him. He
ridiculed me, taunted me, said I knew nothing--we will see, we will
see."

"In fact, you wish to interrogate him yourself. Very well. Let us have
him in."

When Sir Charles Collingham entered, he included the three officials in
one cold, stiff bow, waited a moment, and then, finding he was not
offered a chair, said with studied politeness:

"I presume I may sit down?"

"Pardon. Of course; pray be seated," said the Judge, hastily, and
evidently a little ashamed of himself.