bvious, might
become a factor in the coming interview.

The Baron naturally was spokesman. He bowed very gravely to Duncombe,
and did not offer his hand.

"I must apologize, Sir George," he said, "for disturbing you at such an
inopportune hour. Our business, however, made it necessary for us to
reach you with as little delay as possible."

"Perhaps you will be good enough to explain," Duncombe answered, "what
that business is."

The Baron raised his hands with a little protesting gesture.

"I regret to tell you, Sir George," he announced, "that it is of a most
unpleasant nature. I could wish that its execution had fallen into other
hands. My companions are Monsieur Ridalle, of the French detective
service, and our other friend here, whom I do not know, is a constable
from the Norwich Police Court. My own connections with the police
service of my country you have already, without doubt, surmised."

"Go on," Duncombe said.

"I regret to say," Monsieur Louis continued, "that my friends here are
in charge of a warrant for your arrest. You will find them possessed of
all the legal documents, French and English. We shall have to ask you to
come to Norwich with us to-night."

"Arrest!" Duncombe repeated. "On what charge?"

"An extremely serious one," the Baron answered gravely. "The charge of
murder!"

Duncombe stared at him in amazement.

"Murder!" he repeated. "What rubbish!"

"The murder of Mademoiselle de Mermillon in her lodging on the night of
the seventh of June last," the Baron said gravely. "Please do not make
any remarks before these men. The evidence against you is already
sufficiently strong."

Duncombe laughed derisively.

"What sort of a puppet show is this?" he exclaimed. "You know as well as
any man living how that poor girl came to her end. This is a cover for
something else, of course. What do you want of me? Let's get at it
without wasting time."

"What we want of you is, I am afraid, only too simple," the Baron
answered, shrugging his shoulders. "We must ask you to accompany us at
once to Norwich Castle. You will have to appear before the magistrates
in the morning, when they will sign the extradition warrant. Our friend
here, Monsieur Ridalle, will then take charge of you. Perhaps you would
like to look through the documents. You will find them all in perfect
order."

Duncombe mechanically glanced through the French and English papers
which were spread out before him. They had certain