ll consent. At least, I feel sure that no harm can
come to Miss Ellicott while she is under my roof."

The detective murmured his thanks. "You will be doing Miss Ellicott a
great service, my dear sir," he said. "And one thing more. When you
telephone to her, asking her to come, kindly do not mention the fact
that I have called." He took the Minister's hand and pressed it warmly.
"Some day you will realize the dangers with which Miss Ellicott is being
threatened."

On his return to the Hotel Metropole, Duvall found everything as he had
left it. Seltz was still sleeping soundly. Lablanche was reading a
newspaper. Dufrenne was superintending the placing of Duvall's
portmanteau, which had arrived from Paris in response to a hasty wire
from him that morning. He had been without a change of linen since the
day before, and the arrival of his baggage was gratifying.

He informed Lablanche of his plans. "I shall dine at the United States
Minister's," he informed them, "as Mr. Brooks. After dinner I shall ask
Miss Ellicott's permission to escort her home. We will take a cab and
drive to the railway station in time for the midnight train for Paris.
On my arrival there, I shall give the snuff box to Monsieur Lefevre, who
will see that it is safely returned to the Ambassador in London. You,
Lablanche, can go to London with Seltz as soon as the latter is
sufficiently recovered to travel--in the morning, let us say. You,
Dufrenne, will no doubt prefer to return with me to Paris. In that
event, kindly settle with the hotel people for these rooms, and join me
at the railway station." He paused, opened his traveling case, and drew
out a suit of evening clothes.

Lablanche and Dufrenne withdrew into the adjoining room, where Seltz lay
sleeping. The latter paused in the door as he went out. "Take care of
the snuff box," he said, pointedly. "Remember--the honor of France."

CHAPTER XIII

Grace Duvall went to her room, at Dr. Hartmann's, after her husband's
departure, her feelings divided between her joy at his success--for she
felt that his departure with Seltz meant success--and her sorrow at
seeing him leave her, without so much as a single glance. She felt
certain that she would hear from him during the course of the afternoon,
and after eating her luncheon, sat down to read a book.

The afternoon seemed interminable. When at last she could bear the
inaction no longer, she rose, put on her hat, and started down the
stairs