"What's he doing; gambling a lot?" (I knew he wasn't.)

"No," replied the courier, "he's keeping pretty quiet."

"Is there a Countess Techlow?"

The courier shook his head. _Buenno!_ The coast seemed clear. I knew
it was extremely awkward and often dangerous to tempt the quarry away
from a demi-mondaine, especially at Monte Carlo. After chatting some
more I bid the courier good night. I would see the Countess the first
thing in the morning.

Along toward noon I called at the Nouvel Hotel Louvre where von Wedel
had told me I would find Countess Chechany. I sent in my own card
bearing the name of H. Van Huit, Doorn Kloof, Transvaal (the reader
will recall my experience at Doorn Kloof); also von Wedel's card with
his signature.

I had to wait for some time, but finally the Countess received me in
her boudoir. She was in bewitching negligee. From the photograph I
was prepared to find a very handsome woman, but shades of Helen! This
was Venus, Juno and Minerva--the whole Greek and any other goddesses
rolled into one! Tall and willowy, superb of figure, great dark-blue
eyes, masses of blue-black wavy hair, full red lips forming a perfect
Cupid's bow. But why go on--I might get too enthusiastic, and mislead
the reader. After my adventure I never saw the Countess again.

I knew that by birth the Colmtess Chechany was a high Hungarian
noblewoman. By marriage she was related to the Counts of Tolna