g
to leave you, and run on in advance, to prepare for his reception. I
may be mistaken, however, and as we must be prepared for any emergency,
leave me the chalk-marks as you go along. If our man doesn't come to
the Hotel de Mariembourg, as I think he will, I shall come back here to
start in pursuit of you again."

Just then an empty cab chanced to be passing, and Lecoq hastily got into
it, telling the driver to take him to the Northern Railway Station by
the shortest route and as quickly as possible. As time was precious, he
handed the cabman his fare while on the road, and then began to search
his pocket-book, among the various documents confided to him by M.
Segmuller, for a particular paper he would now require.

Scarcely had the cab stopped at the Place de Roubaix than the young
detective alighted and ran toward the Hotel de Mariembourg, where, as
on the occasion of his first visit, he found Madame Milner standing on a
chair in front of her birdcage, obstinately trying to teach her starling
German, while the bird with equal obstinacy repeated: "Camille! where is
Camille?"

On perceiving the individual of questionable mien who had presumed
to cross her threshold, the pretty widow did not deign to change her
position.

"What do you want?" she asked in a curt, sharp voice.

"I am the nephew of a messenger at the Palais de Justice," replied Lecoq
with an awkward bow, in perfect keeping with his attire. "On going to
see my uncle this morning, I found him laid up with rheumatism; and he
asked me to bring you this paper in his stead. It is a summons for you
to appear at once before the investigating magistrate."

This reply induced Madame Milner to abandon her perch. "Very well," she
replied after glancing at the summons; "give me time to throw a shawl
over my shoulder, and I'll start."

Lecoq withdrew with another awkward bow; but he had not reached the
street before a significant grimace betrayed his inward satisfaction.
She had duped him once, and now he had repaid her. On looking round him
he perceived a half-built house at the corner of the Rue St. Quentin,
and being momentarily in want of a hiding-place he concluded that he
had best conceal himself there. The pretty widow had only asked for
sufficient time to slip on a shawl before starting; but then it
so happened that she was rather particular as to her personal
appearance--and such a plump, attractive little body as herself, having
an eye perhaps to rene