Part 6 (2/2)

They took leave of me with some solemnity on the pavement outside the restaurant, but Monsieur Decresson, before stepping into his automobile, drew me a little on one side.

”Capitaine Rotherby,” he said, ”you have been dealt with to-day as a very privileged person. You were brought to the Cafe des Deux Epingles a stranger, almost a guest, and your behavior there might very well have been resented by us.”

”If I have not said much,” I answered, ”please do not believe me any the less grateful.”

”Let that go,” Monsieur Decresson said coldly. ”Only I would remind you of this. You are a young man, but your experience has doubtless told you that in this world one does not often go out of one's way to serve a stranger for no purpose at all. There is a chance that the time may come when we shall ask you, perhaps through Louis here, perhaps through some other person, to repay in some measure your debt. If that time should come, I trust that you will not prove ungrateful.”

”I think,” I answered confidently, ”that there is no fear of that.”

Monsieur Decresson touched Louis on the shoulder and motioned him to enter the automobile which was waiting. With many bows and solemn salutes the great car swung off and left me there alone. I watched it until it disappeared, and then, turning in the opposite direction, started to walk toward the Ritz. Curiously enough it never occurred to me to doubt for a moment the a.s.surance which had been given me. I had no longer the slightest fear of arrest.

On the way I pa.s.sed the Cafe de Paris. Then I suddenly remembered that strange little note from the girl with the turquoises. I never stopped to consider whether or not I was doing a wise thing. I opened the swing doors and pa.s.sed into the restaurant. It was almost empty, except for a few people who had sat late over their luncheon. I called Leon to me.

”Leon,” I said, ”you remember me? I am Captain Rotherby.”

He held up his hand.

”It is enough, monsieur,” he declared. ”If monsieur would be so good.”

He drew me a little on one side.

”Mademoiselle still waits,” he said in an undertone. ”If monsieur will ascend.”

”Upstairs?” I asked.

Leon bowed and smiled.

”Mademoiselle is in one of the smaller rooms,” he said. ”Will monsieur follow me?”

”Why, certainly,” I answered.

CHAPTER VII

A DOUBLE a.s.sIGNATION

I followed Leon upstairs to the region of smaller apartments. At the door of one of these he knocked, and a feminine voice at once bade us enter.

Mademoiselle was sitting upon a lounge, smoking a cigarette. On the table before her stood an empty coffee-cup and an empty liqueur-gla.s.s. She looked at me with a little grimace.

”At last!” she exclaimed.

”It is the gentleman whom mademoiselle was expecting?” Leon asked discreetly.

”Certainly,” she answered. ”You may go, Leon.”

We were alone. She gave me her fingers, which I raised to my lips.

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