n my trade. I shall
discharge the fellow at once."

"You will do nothing of the sort," exclaimed Duvall, angrily. "If he
reports for duty to-morrow, say nothing to him of our visit, or it will
be worse for you." He leaned toward the terrified barber. "I am a
detective," he said, shortly. "Be careful what you do."

Monsieur Perrier sank upon his knees, his hands lifted in supplication.
"_Mon Dieu_--what shall I do--my business--it will be desolated--what
shall I do?"

"Get up, and hold your tongue first of all. After that, tell me, if you
can, where it was that Seltz intended to go, to visit his parents?"

"He spoke of Brussels--he intended to take the night boat from Harwich
to Antwerp. I heard him discussing his plans with one of the other men."

"Brussels!" Duvall hurriedly glanced at his watch. "There's just time,
if we hurry--come." He turned to Dufrenne, excitement showing in every
line of his face. As he hurried toward the door he spoke over his
shoulder to Monsieur Perrier. "Don't open your mouth to a soul--do you
hear? If you do, you'll get yourself into a peck of trouble." The last
thing they heard as they left the shop was the barber's howls of assent.

At the corner Duvall signaled a passing cab. "Liverpool Street station,
in a hurry," he cried. "Half a crown extra, if you make the boat train
for Harwich."

Dufrenne gazed at his companion in bewilderment. "I do not understand,
Monsieur Duvall," he began, but the detective cut him short. "The thing
is as plain as a pipe stem," he said. "Seltz expected to get the snuff
box from the Ambassador's man this afternoon, and had made his
arrangements to leave with it for Brussels at once. The events of the
evening--culminating in Noel's murder, made him fear to do so. He
realized that the note, delivered to him by one of the Ambassador's
servants, might attract suspicion toward him, and therefore wisely made
up his mind to remain quietly where he was, sending the box by some
friend. He dared not hand the box to him at any place outside the shop,
for fear he might be watched. No doubt he arranged with his friend to
come to the place just before closing, and to pretend to buy the face
powder, as you saw him do. Seltz had only to turn the powder out of the
package, put the snuff box inside, and the thing was done. This he no
doubt did at some opportune moment during the evening, when he was
certain he was not observed. It is a mighty clever scheme--I'll admit.
Yo