easure, sir, to
undertake this for us?'

I turned silently toward Miss Jenrys.

'Aunt Ann is right,' she said, with decision. 'Can you take this
matter in hand?'

'I will take it in hand,' I replied. 'But tell me just what you wish.
Do you simply want insured protection against annoyance, or do you
want this brunette followed up until we learn why she has singled you
out for her peculiar attentions?'

'I have heard it said,' Miss Jenrys replied, 'that the detective fever
is contagious, and I feel now as if I must have this little mystery
unravelled. I dare say it will end in something stupid and
commonplace. Still, let us unravel it if possible. What say you, Aunt
Ann?'

'I have already told thee that I detest mysteries. Yes, we must know
what it means.'

'And know you shall,' I declared, 'if it rests within my power.'

The sun was fast travelling toward the zenith, and I had promised Dave
a rendezvous at noon.

It was not difficult to impress upon these two clever women the need
for perfect secrecy, and that no one must guess at the truth
concerning myself. I had observed that Monsieur Voisin addressed me as
Mr. Masseys, and that Miss Jenrys had spoken my name in performing the
introduction very indistinctly, and before I left she spoke of this.

'Perhaps you noticed the mistake of Monsieur Voisin in addressing
you,' she said. 'It occurred to me, just as I was about to speak your
name, that I might be making a blunder, so I mumbled your name, and
was glad to hear him call you by another.'

'Your tact was a kindness. Let me remain Mr. Masseys to him and to
anyone I may chance to meet in your company. I may be obliged to call
upon you, and should we meet, Monsieur Voisin and I, it will be best
that he knows me for a visitor like himself.'

When we parted it was with a very thorough understanding, and I went
toward my meeting-place wondering what new thing would turn up in this
city of surprises, and what Dave would think of all this. I had
determined to put a shadow upon the heels of the brunette when she
should appear to get the note from Miss Jenrys, which was to be
couched in diplomatic language, and take the form of an indefinite
postponement rather than a refusal.

When Dave and I met, I gave him, as usual, ample time to say the
things of no moment first, in his usual manner; but I did not mention
my own affair of the morning, leaving this to be told later and at a
time of more leisure, for Dave and