put on his hat, and
started out. The importance or lack of importance of the matters which
called him he did not inquire into--it was evidently quite enough, that
Monsieur Lefevre desired his services. It made the detective feel
somewhat ashamed of his recent ill nature, yet he could not but remember
that this was his wedding day, and that in leaving his wife without even
so much as a farewell word, he had given her good reason for doubting
his love for her. Of course, he knew, the Prefect had assured him that
he would explain everything to Grace, but such explanations were not
likely to appeal very strongly to a girl who had been married but little
more than an hour. It was, therefore, in a very dissatisfied frame of
mind that he entered the compartment of the train for Boulogne.

The compartment was a smoking one, and he and Dufrenne had it all to
themselves. The little old Frenchman drew out a much-stained meerschaum
pipe and began placidly to smoke it. His manner toward the detective was
respectful, friendly indeed, yet he made no attempts at conversation,
and seemed quite satisfied to sit and gaze out of the car window at the
fields and villages as they swept by. Presently Duvall spoke.

"Monsieur Dufrenne," he began, slowly, "you are no doubt familiar with
the matter which takes us to London?"

Dufrenne withdrew his gaze from the window and faced about in his seat
with a nervous little gesture of assent. "I understand that Monsieur de
Grissac has been robbed of his snuff box," he replied.

"Is that all you know?" Duvall inquired pointedly. "Surely the recovery
of an article of so little consequence cannot be the real purpose of our
visit."

The little old man shrugged his shoulders, with an almost imperceptible
gesture of dissent. "I know nothing of the matter, monsieur," he
remarked, significantly, "except that my country has called me, and that
I am here." He spoke the words proudly, as though he considered the fact
that he had been called upon an honor.

"But surely, you must have some idea, monsieur, of your purpose in being
here?"

"Yes. That is indeed quite simple. On one occasion I was called upon to
repair the snuff box of Monsieur de Grissac, the Ambassador. In that way
I am familiar with its appearance. Now that it is lost, I am requested
to accompany you, monsieur, in your attempt to recover it, in order that
I may assist you in identifying it."

"And beyond that, you know nothing?"

"Nothing