it."

"Who is Mr John Rivière?"

This came as a fresh surprise to Lars Larssen, and made him doubly
anxious to discover the man. Why all this mystery surrounding him?

"I understand from Mrs Matheson that Mr Rivière is her husband's
half-brother. Lives somewhere around Paris."

"Strange! I've never heard of him myself. I'll make enquiries if you'll
wait a moment."

Presently Coulter returned with the young English clerk of the office.

"It seems that Mr Rivière called here yesterday afternoon and enquired
for Mr Matheson," explained Coulter.

Lars Larssen turned to the young clerk with a questioning look. "It was
the first time I had ever seen him, sir," said the clerk. "He came in
and asked quite naturally for Mr Matheson. There was an astonishing
likeness between them, but that was explained at once when he told me
they were half-brothers."

"An astonishing likeness?"

"When I say a likeness, sir, I mean of course in a general way. Mr
Rivière is younger and different in many ways."

"Describe him."