d quarrelled with a fellow who certainly insulted me. They all
told me that I must fight him, so----"

"Stop, Monsieur Poynton!"

Guy raised his head in surprise. The exclamation had come from the Duc
de Bergillac. Monsieur Grisson was looking towards him as though for an
explanation.

"My dear young friend," the Duke remarked with a smile, "it is my
stupidity which is to blame. I had forgotten the little matter to which
you are alluding, and--between ourselves--it is one which is very much
better not related to Monsieur Grisson. I was alluding to your other
adventure--up in the Pozen forest."

Guy for a moment was too astonished for words. Then he recovered himself
with a little laugh and raised his head. There was nothing terrible in
the other affair.

"I will tell Monsieur Grisson about that with pleasure," he said, "if it
is likely to interest him. I was in the North of Germany on a
walking-tour, and I had rather a stupid fancy to go as far as the
Russian frontier, and then return by Vienna to Paris. I was quite alone,
and had no one's plans but my own to consult, so I started off from
Steritz, I think the place was called. Well, we were within about forty
miles of a place called Renzan when our train was stopped and shunted.
We were told that some specials were to go by. I should think we must
have waited there for an hour or more. Anyhow I got sick of it, and
passed through the cars on to the rear platform, and down on to the
line. I spoke to the guard, and I understood him to say that we should
not be starting for at least half an hour. I strolled along the line a
little way and stopped to light a pipe. Suddenly I heard a whistle, and
when I turned round the rear light of the train was moving away. I
shouted and ran as hard as I could, but it was no use. In less than two
minutes the train was out of my sight, and I was left alone."

The Duke pushed a small atlas across the table.

"I wonder," he said, "if you could put your finger on about the spot
where you were? Here, you see, is the railway line."

Guy studied it for a few moments carefully, and looked at the scale.
Then he pointed to a certain spot.

"As near as I could say," he declared, "about there."

The Duke and Monsieur Grisson exchanged quick glances. Guy was beginning
to feel a little mystified.

"Proceed, if you please," the Duke said courteously. "I am sure that
Monsieur Grisson finds your story most interesting. Permit me."

Guy sipp