ang out, and Paul climbed into his
carriage, once more the staid M. P. he thought--But was he? Could he
ever be again?

* * * * *

Toward Paris, then, the fast mail bore him rapidly; and at the same
time toward Langres. When they reached Bale, Baxter telegraphed to the
_Hotel du Rhin_ in Paris for a suite. At Belfort Paul directed him to
send another message cancelling the reservation. And--alas for Paul's
good resolutions!--at the station of Langres-Marne, a mile from the
old cathedral town itself, he left the train, taking only a big
Gladstone bag with him, and sent Baxter on alone to Paris, to wait
until he should arrive.

Another short journey remained, so in company with the inevitable
soldier, priest, and old lady with a huge umbrella, Paul took a seat
in one of the open cars of the little rack-and-pinion railway that
runs up the steep hill through the apple orchards to the old cathedral
city. In a few minutes the train stopped at a miniature station.

It had begun to rain, and Paul was conscious that he was an object of
interest as he stood on the steps of the station looking about him in
search of a _fiacre_.

No vehicle was in sight, so he set himself to tramp up the hill to the
_Hotel de l'Europe_, at which he had stayed long years before, and of
which he still entertained a lively recollection of its cleanness and
its quaintness.

The _hotel_ slept, and Verdayne heard the bell pealing through the
silent house as he stood shivering and waiting on the doorstep.

Presently he heard the sound of bolts being withdrawn and a
shock-headed night porter thrust his face out into the damp evening
air.

The sight of Sir Paul's tall figure drew his immediate attention.

"What does Monsieur require?" he asked in accents which were at once
civil and surprised.

"Let me in," said Verdayne, "and I will do my best to explain."

The man led the way to a delightfully large and airy room, half
_salon_, half _chambre a coucher_, where Paul was glad to remove the
stains of travel.

First he took the precaution of drawing a couple of half-crowns from
his pocket and slipping them into the man's hand.

"You need not be alarmed at my appearance," he said. "I am not a
fugitive from justice. I am merely an English gentleman who has lost
his friends and who is in search of them.

"Tell me if you have staying in this hotel a tall young lady with dark
hair and brilliant eyes? It is possible