efore at the hotel in Vienna--tried all he could to pal up to me. I
hate Germans though, and I didn't like the look of the fellow, so I
wouldn't have anything to say to him, though I feel sure he tipped the
conductor to put him in my compartment. I gave him the slip at the
railway station at Paris, but I'm almost sure I saw him that night at
the Cafe Montmartre."

"Your story," Monsieur Grisson said quietly, "becomes more and more
interesting. Monsieur le Duc here has hinted at some slight indiscretion
of yours on the night of your arrival in Paris. I have some influence
with the Government here, and I think I can promise you some very
substantial help in return for the information you have given us. But I
want you to turn your thoughts back to the night you spent by the
railroad. Can you remember anything further about it, however trifling,
which you have not told us?"

Guy leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

"By Jove," he declared, "there is something which I forgot altogether.
Just before that little party in the railway saloon broke up the chap in
the car who had been writing left his seat, and a loose page of paper
fluttered through the window."

The two men leaned across the table almost simultaneously.

"What became of it?" the Duke asked sharply.

"I picked it up and put it in my pocket," Guy answered.

"Did you read it?" the Duke asked.

"I couldn't! It was in German!"

"Where is it now?" Monsieur Grisson demanded.

Guy reflected. The faces of the two men amazed him. It was as though
great things depended upon his answer.

"It is with my pocketbook and my letter of credit. I remember that I
kept it as a curiosity."

"A curiosity!" the Duke exclaimed. "You have it here?"

Guy shook his head.

"It is in my portmanteau!" he answered.

The faces of the two men betrayed their disappointment. They conversed
for a few moments in rapid French. Then the Duke turned to Guy.

"You do not object to our sending a trusted person to look through your
portmanteau!" he asked. "Monsieur Grisson and I are very curious about
that sheet of paper."

"Certainly not," Guy answered. "But may I not have my luggage here?"

The Duke shook his head.

"Not yet," he said. "It would not be wise. We must give Monsieur
Grisson time to arrange your little affair."

"I don't want to seem a nuisance," Guy continued, "but about my sister?"

"She has been assured of your safety," the Duke declared. "For the