rn out the contents of
his pockets, his trunk and bureau drawers."

"And you found--?"

"Nothing. That was before noon to-day. Since then, I have kept the man
locked in his room, awaiting your coming. One of the other servants has
remained on guard outside his door ever since."

"You did not, then, notify the police?"

"No. The matter is one that, for reasons of my own, I do not wish to
become public."

"Has anything been heard from your prisoner since this morning?"

"Yes. He asked for pen and ink about one o'clock this afternoon. I went
up to see him, to find out why he wanted them. He seemed deeply
affected, was almost in tears, and apparently afraid to meet my gaze. He
said he wished to write a note, breaking an engagement he had had for
this afternoon. He usually had Wednesday afternoons off. I permitted him
to write the letter."

Duvall began to show signs of deep interest on hearing this. "Where is
it?" he exclaimed.

"What, monsieur?" The Ambassador evidently did not follow him.

"The letter."

"I sent it, of course."

"But you read it first?"

"Yes. It was addressed to a man named Seltz, Oscar Seltz, if I recollect
correctly, at a barber shop in Piccadilly Circus, which, as you know, is
close by. This fellow Seltz was a friend of Noel's. I have several times
heard him speak of him. They were accustomed to spend their afternoons
off together, I understand."

"And the note?" asked Duvall, impatiently. "What did it say?"

"Merely that Noel was unable to keep his appointment for that afternoon,
and did not expect to see his friend again before his departure. Seltz
must have been planning some trip. The letter, as I remember, was quite
cool, almost unfriendly in its tone."

Duvall glanced at his watch. "This was about one o'clock you say?"

"Yes. The matter has no significance. We are wasting our time discussing
it."

"On the contrary, monsieur, I fear it may have had the greatest
significance. That letter should never have been delivered. Even now, it
may be too late to prevent the consequences. Be so good, monsieur, as to
conduct me to this man Noel's room at once." He turned to Dufrenne. "You
will accompany us, of course, Monsieur Dufrenne," he said, then followed
the Ambassador toward the hall.

In a few moments they reached the third floor of the house, and passed
along a short hall which gave entrance to a rear extension of the
building, in which the servants' quarters were located. At