would never do for Sir Brian Malpas to
know who I am and what I seek, a roundabout introduction is provided by
kindly Providence--Ah! that good little angel of mine!--in the person of
Mr. John Exel, M. P."

"I will introduce you to Mr. Exel with pleasure."

"Eh bien! Let it be arranged as soon as possible," said M. Max. "To Mr.
John Exel I will be, as to Miss Ryland (morbleu! I hate me!) and Miss
Cumberly (pardieu! I loathe myself!), M. Gaston! It is ten o'clock, and
already I hear your first patient ringing at the front-door bell. Good
morning, Dr. Cumberly."

Dr. Cumberly grasped his hand cordially.

"Good morning, M. Max!"

The famous detective was indeed retiring, when:

"M. Max!"

He turned--and looked into the troubled gray eyes of Dr. Cumberly.

"You would ask me where is she--Mrs. Leroux?" he said. "My friend--I
may call you my friend, may I not?--I cannot say if she is living or is
dead. Some little I know of the Chinese, quite a little; nom de dieu!...
I hope she is dead!"...

XXIV

OPIUM

Denise Ryland was lunching that day with Dr. Cumberly and his daughter
at Palace Mansions; and as was usually the case when this trio met, the
conversation turned upon the mystery.

"I have just seen Leroux," said the physician, as he took his seat, "and
I have told him that he must go for a drive to-morrow. I have released
him from his room, and given him the run of the place again, but
until he can get right away, complete recovery is impossible. A little
cheerful company might be useful, though. You might look in and see him
for a while, Helen?"

Helen met her father's eyes, gravely, and replied, with perfect
composure, "I will do so with pleasure. Miss Ryland will come with me."

"Suppose," said Denise Ryland, assuming her most truculent air, "you
leave off... talking in that... frigid manner... my dear. Considering
that Mira... Leroux and I were... old friends, and that you... are old
friends of hers, too, and considering that I spend... my life amongst...
people who very sensibly call... one another... by their Christian
names, forget that my name is Ryland, and call me... Denise!"

"I should love to!" cried Helen Cumberly; "in fact, I wanted to do
so the very first time I saw you; perhaps because Mira Leroux always
referred to you as Denise"...

"May I also avail myself of the privilege?" inquired Dr. Cumberly with
gravity, "and may I hope that you will return the compliment?"

"I canno