Part 15 (1/2)
”Hun Sun stole it himself.”
”Precisely my own opinion,” Monsieur Roche murmured, appreciatively.
”He, although a chosen envoy to France, is against us. He was bound to deliver his message, but in the same instant he rendered it futile. We cannot own that we have lost the seal, and without it we cannot accept.”
”And your object in seeking me at such an hour is to ask me to regain the seal?”
”Yes, _ma chere_, you are the one woman in the world who is brilliant enough to do it, because--”
”Not so much sugar, if you please, monsieur. Thank you;” and I took my cup from his hand, leaving him to apply my remark in its double sense, and smiled with satisfaction because I noticed that Paul was cutting figures and flourishes in solitude. I knew that empty-headed woman would bore him.
”But I may count upon your a.s.sistance?” Monsieur le Premier plaintively interjected.
”To regain the seal is utterly impossible,” I quietly answered.
”Impossible?”
”Altogether. The man who could rob you before your very eyes is too clever to allow himself to be robbed in turn. I do not care for missions without a hope of success. There is but one thing you can do: bribe Hun Sun to come over to the side of France.”
”Unfortunately, Hun Sun has departed for the land where bribery is unknown.”
I sat forward in my seat in amazement; even monsieur's diplomatic manner of putting it did not completely hide his meaning.
”When did it happen?”
”Late last night. He returned from his appointment with me to his suite at L'Imperatrice Hotel, and, after transacting some business with his secretary Ling Wen, retired for the night, and forever. Living diplomats mourn a talented man, who has gone to join the politicians who have preceded him--or, at least, some of them.”
”And that being so, _mon ami_, I undertake the mission. You may make your plans, for I promise you shall have the seal within twenty-four hours--unless,” I added, ”it was never taken to the hotel.”
”You mean it?” he cried, a flush of pleasure chasing the sallow lines of worry from his face.
”In spite of cheap masculine cynicism, _mon cher_, a woman sometimes means what she says. I think I can regain it for you. Where is the--”
”The body was removed secretly in the early morning to the Chinese Emba.s.sy.”
”And no one knows of his Excellency's death?”
”Outside those pledged to silence, no one.”
”Let me see,” I murmured, reflectively; ”his secretary's name is--?”
”Ling Wen, with, say, twenty odd additions.”
”Ling Wen will be sufficient. At seven o'clock to-night, monsieur, you will send an imperative message that you must see Ling Wen at once, and--No, that is all you need do. You will not skate? Then, _mon ami, au revoir_.”
It was ten minutes past seven when my _coupe_, drew up at the door of L'Imperatrice Hotel, and I requested to be conducted to the apartments of his Excellency Hun Sun; and I felt pleased with myself, for my much-tried milliner had obliterated volumes of misdeeds with a gown and cloak that were perfection. A shade of perplexity gathered upon the face of the waiter as he heard my request, and that perplexity was deepened in the features of monsieur le manager, when he was called and listened to my desire.
”His Excellency Hun Sun had only just departed.”
I had serious thoughts of recommending that man to Monsieur Roche as an uncultivated diplomat.