e practically
alone, with none to overhear, he asked--

"Why did you write to me? What do you want?"

"To know the truth about Pierrette Dumont," I said. "Madame has been
telling me about you. When did you arrive?"

"The day before yesterday. Bindo sent me out."

"What for?"

"I can't tell. He never gives reasons. His only instructions were to go
to the Bristol, make the acquaintance of Mademoiselle and her chaperon,
and create an impression on them."

"Well, you've done that, if nothing else," I assured him, laughing. "But
the whole affair is such a complete mystery that it certainly is to the
interests of all of us if I'm let into the secret. At present I'm
working in the dark."

"And so am I, my dear fellow," was Sir Charles's response. "Bindo met me
in the Constitutional, gave me a hundred pounds, and told me to go out
at once. So I came."

"And when is he returning?"

"Only he himself knows that. He seems tremendously busy. Henderson is
with him. When I left he was just going to Birmingham."

"You know who Pierrette is?"

"Yes. Daughter of old Dumont, the jeweller in the Rue de la Paix. Bindo
told me that much. Her father disappeared from the Charing Cross Hotel,
as well as his clerk and a bagful of jewellery."

"Exactly. I suspect Martin, the clerk, don't you?"

He smiled, his eyes fixed upon me.

"Perhaps," he remarked vaguely.

"And you know more about the little affair, Blythe, than you intend to
tell me?"

"Bindo ordered me to say nothing," was his reply. "You ought surely to
know by this time that when he has a big thing on he never talks about
it. That is, indeed, the secret of his success."

"Yes, but in certain circumstances he ought to let me know what is
intended, so that I may be forearmed against treachery."

"Treachery!" he echoed. "What do you mean?"

"What I say. There are other people about here who know Mademoiselle."

"Who?"

"'The President,' for one."

"What!" he cried, starting up. "Do you mean to say that? Are you sure of
it?"

"Quite. I saw them recognise each other in the Rooms the other
afternoon. I afterwards met him alone, and he admitted that he knew
her."

"Then the affair is far more complicated than I believed," exclaimed my
companion, knitting his brows thoughtfully. "I wonder----"

"Wonder what?"

"I wonder if Bindo knows this? Have you told him?"

"No. It was after he had left."

"Then we ought to let him know at once. Where is Regnier stayin