Part 15 (2/2)

When he met me at the corner of the Rue Beaune he was on his way to the Rue Guenegaud, hoping to exchange Carissimo for five thousand francs When heto do for the ht He had only just time to run back to the hotel to warn M her to detain ed into his disguise, Carissi to pacify the dog, the latter bit hiood deal of blood--the crimson scar across his face was a last happy inspiration which put the finishi+ng touch to his disguise and to the hoodwinking of the police and of me He had only just time to staunch the blood from his arm and to thrust his own clothes and Carissiendarasp For one brief h my mind that I would denounce him to the police forfor

But that was just the trouble Of what could I accuse hi? The commissary would hardly listen to such a taleand it would ave Theodore the soundest thrashi+ng he ever had in his life, and fifty francs to keep his mouth shut

But did I not tell you that he was a ratitude?

CHAPTER V

THE TOYS

1

You are right, Sir, I very seldoreatest monarch the world has ever known honoured me with his intimacy and confidence I had my office in the Rue St Roch then, at the top of a house just by the church, and not a stone's throw from the palace, and I can tell you, Sir, that in those days n ambassadors, aye! and members of His Majesty's household, were up and down my staircase at all hours of the day I had not yet met Theodore then, and fate ont to smile on me

As for M le Duc d'Otrante, Minister of Police, he would send to me or for me whenever an intricate case required special acumen, resourcefulness and secrecy Thus in the lish files--have I told you of it before? No? Well, then, you shall hear

Those were the days, Sir, when the E to sweep the world clear of English co heavy duty on English goods, or a still heavier fine if you s if you were caught bringing so much as a metre of Bradford cloth or half a dozen Sheffield files into the country But you kno it is, Sir: the more strict the law the more ready are certain lawless hu so rife as it was in those days--I alers so reckless

M le Duc d'Otrante had his hands full, I can tell you It had becouard or custoer able to deal with it

Then one day Hypolite Leroux came to see me I knew the man well--a keen sleuthhound if ever there was one--and well did he deserve his name, for he was as red as a fox

”Ratichon,” he said to me, without preamble, as soon as he had seated hiood Bordeaux and a couple of glasses on the table ”I want your help in the lish files We have done all that we can in our department M le Duc has doubled the custouard is both keen and efficient, and yet we know that at the present lish files used in this country, even inside His Majesty's own armament works M le Duc d'Otrante is deter reward for information which will lead to the conviction of one or et that reward--with your help, if you will give it”

”What is the reward?” I asked sie of English and Italian is what caused me to offer you a share in this splendid enterprise--”

”It's no good lying toto work aether”

He swore

”The reward is ten thousand francs” Imy man well

”I swear that it is not,” he asserted hotly

”Swear again,” I retorted, ”for I'll not deal with you for less than five thousand”

He did swear again and protested loudly But I was firlass of wine,” I said