The Lost Ambassador

me-a gentleman who had given the name of Monsieur Louis. I ordered him to prepare my bath and bring my coffee.

illow. I had no nerves, and I had done nothing which I regretted. I fancy, therefore, that my general appearance and reception of him somewha

, perhaps, another sort

ok my

aid. "After what you told me last night

btful whether Monsieur Tapi

payment of a just

ted, "does not perm

red, "can do what

cied that there was something of that admiration in his g

s slept well

ntly," I

which he had taken fro

announced, "we must be

d my ey

dryly. "I don't e

ugged his

a man who lies very near to death up there in the Café des Deux épingles, a

nderstand, Louis," I sa

ouis answered. "In the meanwhile, have you a servant? If not, summon

e before I go out. That will take me another ten. In the m

what happened only a few hours ago? It rests with one or two people as to whether you shall be

swered, "I never dreamed of escaping

se?" Louis a

e revolver upon

he mistake of overestimating

then and afterwards that he was never

rse," I said, "but one s

ere are no corners which are not swept bare by your police. In Lo

d have met Monsieur Tapilow in Paris and not in London. But will you tell me, Louis, w

. "We will talk in the carriage, perhaps

m with regard to the events of last night and the place to which he had taken me, but as though by mutual consent neither of us spoke of these t

little excursion of ours. Who are t

us into a greater intimacy. He addressed me by name, and his man

is hot in your veins, and yet to-day, as you sit there, your liberty is forfeit,-perhaps even, if Tapilow should die,

to frighten me,

t you to realize that you are

irst time I came face to face with that man, whether it was in the daytime or the nighttime, in a friend's house or on the street, I would punish him. Well, I have kept my word. I had to. I hav

ded sympa

ince the men whom you will meet in a few moments that you ha

ed. "Is it a police court

upport. But here in Paris I come on to the fringe of a circle of life with which I have no direct connection, and yet whose happenings sometimes touch upon the lives of my friends and intimates. It is a circle of life

odd

"Tell me, for example, who these

, or if it could it would not. They wield a power greater than the power which drives the wheels of government in t

is, Louis?" I a

of it," h

e hand of a gendarme upon my shoulder. I expected it as the carriage stopped before the restaurant and we crossed the pavement. I expected i

, "permit me to make you acquainted with Monsieur le Capitaine Rotherby, a

upper class. Monsieur Decresson had a narrow black beard, a military moustache, a high forehead, pale complexion, and thoughtful eye

eclared, "to have the honor of

en Monsieur Decresson pointed wi

ke luncheon. Afterwards," he continued, "we can talk over our coffe

lunched exceedingly well. During the progress of the meal our conversation was absolutely general. All the events of the previous night were carefully

the place where we met last night. We are deputed to ask you to explain, if you can, your conduct,-your attac

lutely a stranger, and absolutely by chance. Chance decreed that I should meet face to face the one man in the w

Decress

that manner. Do not think me personal or inquisitive, I beg of you,

ed because I have proved him to be guilty of conduct unbecoming to a gentleman. I punished him because

accusation. Tapilow is known to us. These things must be spoken of ser

murdered this man, and I tell you both, upon my honor, that the treatment which he received from me he merited. He borrowed my money and my brothe

esson said softly, "seems, t

other is an invalid for life. T

hree of them talked together earnestly for several minutes in an undertone. The

n and Monsieur Grisson are of one mind in this ma

e to the other o

ed. "You mean to say, then, that eve

cresson smi

ould not be possible for Monsieur Tapilow to speak to the police of this assault. Buy your Figaro every evening,"

outside the restaurant, but Monsieur Decresson, before s

ileged person. You were brought to the Café des Deux épingles a stranger, almo

answered, "please do not beli

orld one does not often go out of one's way to serve a stranger for no purpose at all. There is a chance that the time may come when we shall ask you, perhaps

confidently, "that the

at car swung off and left me there alone. I watched it until it disappeared, and then, turning in the opposite direction, started to walk toward the R

uoises. I never stopped to consider whether or not I was doing a wise thing. I opened the swing doors and passed into

u remember me? I am

d up h

," he declared. "If mon

a little

" he said in an undertone.

irs?"

wed and

the smaller rooms," he said

tainly,"