The Lost Ambassador

and turned away with a

speechless. On the whole, I scarcely felt that I deserved th

I was watching you with some interest at that moment, I suppose I must plea

once, but you look twice, three times. You come out on to the pavement to hear the address which my uncle gives the chauffeur. We go to a restaurant for supper, where only the few are admitted. You are content to be brought by a waiter, but you

gly. I consider your use of the

e was breathing heavily, and was evident

r one," she said. "In Paris one is used always to be

shoulders. I leaned a little further forward in my place,

t, and who is the ma?tre d'h?tel at my favorite restaurant. I had no idea that you were going to be there. On the contrary, I distinctly heard your companion tell your chauffeur to drive to the Ritz. I came on this train by accident, and although it is true that I spoke to you as I might have done to any othe

me all the time intently. My words see

o you mean to say that that was your fi

I met Louis by accident that night. He kne

ra and you asked him wh

tinent in that. Afterwards we spoke together for a little time. I told him that I w

seemed always to be seeking mine, as though anxiou

e, then, that you know nothing of Louis except as a ma?tre

ely," I

y from me. In her eyes I seemed to see reflected the tr

that man! It was horrible! I have never seen anything like it! You were

nswered. "I am afra

even the air of one who flies for his life. Yet

t?" I aske

"those who take advantage of the peculiar protection which some of

ok my

rant. I know nothing of the people who frequent the Café des Deux épingles except those I saw there that night. You," I added, "were one of

name?" she a

osite to her moved uneasily in his sleep. She crumpled the card up i

hman?" she asked,

ly!" I a

nd in Paris, most of my days. It is very certain, though, that I have never seen an Englishman like

I leaned acro

man whom I struck down. You look upon me as a sort of would-be assassin. You need not. I

ou?" sh

arried to a woman whom he loved, a poor girl whom he had made wealthy, and to whom he had given a great position. She loved him, and she was content, after his accident, to give her life to him. Then that man came, the man whom you saw me punish. I tell you that t

in that dim light I could s

added. "I do not understand why those people at the Café des Deux épingles should shield you when you are not one of them,-when you have no kn

ed my sh

any one of them comes to me with a definite request which

rvant, then?" she asked. "You

t way?"

you without a cause. But I will ask you this question. Has it been sug

no!" I answe

y seemed to have died away from her face. She looked at

, but I should like to believe that you are not one of those whom

urant I frequent. I had never in my life seen him before, except in his restau

ced, but still a little b

short pause, "that it is almost m

med sur

t?" she

I said, "and you are not French.

sm

America, but I came to Europe when very young, and have lived in France always. My people

o stay long in L

here," she answered. "When he has

the Café des Deux épingles? You admit that it is the resor

My question seemed to disconcert her

hemselves. He has always had a taste for adventure, and I fancy that he has friends who are intereste

magine that you and I are the only people who hav

had done, a spot of color burned in her cheeks. Since the anger which had first inspired her to speech

nd the place or its habitués. I only know t

going to do in London while your

he answered carelessly. "There are always

going to stay

n, I think,"

redominant! The girl might be innocent enough of all wrong-doing or knowledge of wrong-doing, but could one thi

ross you, then

fference the smile made in her face. To me s

now no one in London. I expect to be alone

answered. "I have never settled

u do that?"

d I could not get round in time. I haven't altogether fin

all your home, then

" I answered. "I spend a great deal of time in Norfolk wi

w lights. The clearness had gone from the atmosphere. The little current of ai

ondon?"

n ten minutes," I an

d waked her uncle.

ere in ten minu

o you know on which side w

side," I

nd commenced to wrap a

mothered," the

r I have crossed the Channel. Besides, it is the damp air. You,

ess alone which was responsible for his haggard features, for that grim look of covert fear which seemed to hav

that a man was standing by himself at this remote end of the platform

l, as I collected my small belongings. "I suppose

, and I found his appearance almost terrifying. He se

rapidly. "You could, if you

ted," I answered. "

u could remain with my niece while our luggage is examined, and send her afterwards to the Milan Hotel, you would do a real favor

rl. She was watching her u

great pleasure to look after you. I am going to the

k, though," she added, turning to her uncle, "that I had better

all call at the chemist's. I shall get s

led, then,"

d descended. Avoiding the platform, he crossed straight on to the roadway, and was lost amid

," I said. "There will be plenty of time afterward

kind," she mur

hing the spot where her