could judge it was not yet daylight, for the electric lamps were
turned on, and I subsequently found that such rays of natural light as
penetrated into my room during the day did not arrive for a considerable
time.

"Thenceforth, of course, my sole method of judging the progress of time
was by the alternation of meals and the difference of light between day
and night.

"Someone assisted me to assume a sitting posture, the cords attached to
my wrists were relaxed, and I was firmly held by two men--one a Turk
whom I had not seen before, the other a Frenchman whom you found in the
flat.

"At the foot of the bed were standing Dubois and a closely-veiled
female--a young woman, as well as I could judge, and a person of tall
and elegant stature, who, it would appear, spoke only French.

"Dubois addressed me calmly.

"'I hope,' he said, 'you are in a better temper, my dear Talbot?'

"'It does not appear to me that the state of my temper is of any
material significance,' I answered.

"'No,' he replied nonchalantly. 'The game is in my hands, and will
probably remain there for a considerable period. But I do not wish to be
unkind. You have, I am given to understand, a highly respectable uncle
and a very charming sister, who will no doubt suffer much perturbation
owing to your mysterious disappearance. Now, you may not think it, but I
am a very humane sort of fellow. Consequently, I am quite agreeable that
you should write them a brief note, omitting of course all superfluous
information, such as dates, addresses, and other embarrassing facts, but
simply telling them that you are well. I will guarantee its safe
delivery.'

"Naturally, I jumped at the offer. The veiled lady supplied me with a
sheet of notepaper and an envelope, and I scribbled the unfortunate
letter which was subsequently posted in Paris and caused such a
sensation. I had only one hand at liberty, so Dubois politely offered to
seal the envelope for me, first, however, reading carefully what I had
written.

"'That is quite correct,' he said; 'it will relieve their feelings and
prove at the same time highly serviceable to me, as the letter will be
posted in Paris and not in London. You see, my dear Talbot, how readily
you fall in with my plans. You are as putty in my hands. Now, I suppose,
being a brave Englishman, you would sooner have died than written this
letter if you had guessed it would prove of material assistance to me?'

"I fear I used some ver