CHAPTER II

CONCERNING THE GRAND DUKE


Although I had met with an unforeseen check, I had nevertheless learned
three things. I had learned that Miguel the quadroon was possibly in
league with the Hindu; that the Hindu was called Chunda Lal; and that
Chunda Lal received messages, probably instructions, from a third
party who announced his presence by the word "_Scorpion_."

One of my fellows, of course, had been in the cafe all the evening,
and from him I obtained confirmation of the fact that it had been the
Hindu who had been summoned to the telephone and whom I had heard
speaking. Instant upon the man at the cafe replacing the telephone
and disconnecting, I called up the exchange. They had been warned and
were in readiness.

"From what subscriber did that call come?" I demanded.

Alas! another check awaited me. It had originated in a public call
office, and "Scorpion" was untraceable by this means!

Despair is not permitted by the traditions of the Service de Surete.
Therefore I returned to my flat and recorded the facts of the matter
thus far established. I perceived that I had to deal, not with a
designing woman, but with some shadowy being of whom she was an
instrument. The anomaly of her life was in a measure explained. She
sojourned in Paris for a purpose--a mysterious purpose which was
concerned (I could not doubt it) with the Grand Duke Ivan. This was