Narkom had made his appearance, and remained so to the last.

[Illustration: "Count Irma has told," said Narkom. "It's all out at
last and ... I know now. I'm to lose you."]

Even after the three persons had vanished from the room, he continued
to stare at the doorway through which they had passed, and the
rather elaborate tea he had ordered remained wholly untouched. A soft
step sounded near him and a soft voice broke in upon his unspoken
thoughts.

"Is not the tea to Monsieur's liking?" it inquired with all the
deference of the Continental waiter. And that awoke him from his
abstraction.

"Yes--quite, thank you. By the way, that was Miss Larue who just left
the room, was it not, Philippe?"

"Yes, Monsieur--the great Miss Larue: the most famous of all English
actresses."

"So I understand. And the lame man who came in and spoke to her--who
is he? Not a guest of the hotel, I am sure, since I have never seen
him here before."

"I do not know, Monsieur, who the gentleman is. It shall be the
first I shall see of him ever. It may be, however, that he is a
new arrival. They would know at the office, if Monsieur le Baron
desires me to inquire."

"Yes--do. I fancy I have seen him before. Find out for me who he is."

Philippe disappeared like a fleet shadow. After an absence of about
two minutes, he came back with the desired intelligence.

"No, Monsieur le Baron, the gentleman is not a guest," he announced.
"But he is visiting a guest. The name is Yard. He arrived about a
quarter of an hour ago and sent his card in to Captain Maltravers,
who at once took him up to his room."

"Captain Maltravers? So! That will be the military officer from
India, will it not?"

"Yes, Monsieur; the one with the fair hair and moustache who lunched
to-day at the table adjoining Monsieur le Baron's own."

"Ah, to be sure. And 'passed the time of day' with me, as they say
in this peculiar language. I remember the gentleman perfectly. Thank
you very much. There's something to pay you for your trouble."

"Monsieur le Baron is too generous! Is there any other service----"

"No, no--nothing, thank you. I have all that I require," interposed
the "Baron" with a gesture of dismissal.

And evidently he had; for five minutes later he walked into the
office of the hotel, and said to the clerk, "Make out my bill,
please--I shall be leaving England at once," and immediately
thereafter walked into a telephone booth, consulted his notebook,