Even before Mlle. Nadiboff's partner could rejoin her, M. Lemaire
appeared around a palm at Mlle. Nadiboff's back as naturally as though
he had not been playing the eavesdropper.

"Have a care, Sara," he whispered, mockingly, "or you will fail in
making a fool of that young fellow!"

Half way through the next dance Jack and his friends remained in their
seats. Then Hal, stifling a yawn behind his hand, remarked:

"I've a notion that I shall be asleep in a few minutes. Late hours,
except on duty, don't jibe with our line of work."

"They don't," admitted Captain Jack, rising.

"Good, boys!" nodded Mr. Farnum, approvingly, as he also rose. "The
more rest you have the keener your wits will be for your work."

So they left the ballroom, observed by but few.

Five minutes later Mlle. Nadiboff sat surrounded by three men, with
whom she was chatting gayly. M. Lemaire approached her. She greeted
him so pointedly that the other three men soon fell away.

"I can hardly congratulate you, Sara," hissed M. Lemaire, speaking in
French.

"You think I have not made young Benson attentive enough to my whims?"
the young woman asked, plaintively.