ind.

"Suppose that not only the people of Hesse-Weimar but also the
Government have been fooled!"

A glimpse caught of Prince Gudulfin descending from the private car at
the Hesse-Weimar station, was sufficient to start this train of thought.
By association of ideas the sight of the Prince brought to Juve's mind
the figure of the Grand Duchess Alexandra, who was no other than Lady
Beltham. And Lady Beltham suggested Fantomas, whom Juve was inclined to
credit not only with his arrest but also with his liberation.

When the train pulled into the Frontier Station Juve, still wearing his
false beard and whiskers, jumped down and hurried to the ticket office
to buy his transportation to Paris. As he was returning, he happened to
glance at the private car attached to the train at Glotzbourg, when, in
spite of his self-control, he could not repress a cry of triumph.

One of the window curtains was suddenly raised and then immediately
lowered again, but Juve had time to recognize a face. It was that of the
Grand Duchess Alexandra ... otherwise Lady Beltham. The train whistled.

Juve had only just time to regain his compartment. He began pacing up
and down the corridor, rubbing his hands, almost jumping for joy. At
last the mystery was cleared. He understood what had been going on. Lady
Beltham had fainted when Juve was arrested. Why?

Evidently, because she had accepted the general opinion that he was
Fantomas. After coming to herself and learning that the monster was in
prison, she had made up her mind to effect his escape cost what it
might.

But how was she to set about it?

Doubtless Lady Beltham, in her capacity of Grand Duchess, had many
devoted friends, and it was evidently with their aid that the evasion
had been brought about. And Lady Beltham, herself a dupe, still imagined
it was her lover she had saved; when in reality she had set at liberty
his most determined enemy.

As the air now began to grow chilly, Juve returned to his compartment
and picked up his overcoat. He was about to put it on, when he stopped
in amazement.

On the lining was pinned a paper with the following words scribbled in
pencil:

"America Hotel, Paris."

For a long time Juve, with bent brows, read and reread these words. They
could only have been brought here by Lady Beltham herself while Juve
was away getting his ticket. What did this mysterious address portend?

If Lady Beltham believed she was communicating with Fantomas, she