es later I received a scribbled reply, requesting me to meet
her at half-past ten at a certain cafe near the Lehrte Station.

I was awaiting her when she arrived. After she had greeted me and
expressed surprise at my sudden appearance, she informed me she had not
yet met Pierron, for he was absent--in Hamburg it was said.

"I hear he returns to-night," she added. "Therefore, I hope to meet him
to-morrow."

I explained the extreme urgency of the matter, and then drove her back
to the hotel, alighting from the cab a few hundred yards away. To
another cafe I strolled to rest and have a smoke, and it was near
midnight when I re-entered the "Kaiserhof."

As I crossed the great hall a _contretemps_ occurred. I came face to
face with Pierron, a tall, sallow-faced, red-bearded man with eyes set
close together, elegantly dressed, and wearing a big diamond in his
cravat.

In an instant he recognised me, whereupon I bowed, saying:

"Ah, m'sieur! It is really quite a long time since we met--in Denmark
last, was it not?"

He raised his eyebrows slightly, and replied in a withering tone:

"I do not know by what right m'sieur presumes to address me!"

That moment required all my courage and self-possession. I had not
expected to meet him so suddenly. He had evidently just come from his
journey, for he wore a light travelling-coat and soft felt hat.

"Well," I said, "I have something to say to you--something to tell you
in private, if you could grant me a few minutes." I merely said this in
order to gain time.

"_Bien!_ to-morrow, then--at whatever hour m'sieur may name."

To-morrow. It would then be too late. In an hour he might inform the
police, and I would find myself under arrest. The German police would be
only too pleased to have an opportunity of retaliating.

"No," I exclaimed. "To-night. Now. Our business will only take a few
moments. Come to my sitting-room. The matter I want to explain brooks no
delay. Every moment is of consequence."

"Very well," laughed the Frenchman, with a distinct air of bravado. "You
believe yourself extremely clever, no doubt, M'sieur Jacox. Let me hear
what you have to say."

Together we ascended the broad marble steps to the first floor, and I
held open the door of my sitting-room. When he had entered, I closed it,
and offering him a chair, commenced in a resolute tone:

"Now, M'sieur Pierron, I am here to offer terms to you."

"Terms!" he laughed. "_Diable!_ What do you mean?"