My Strangest Case

e found it difficult to discover a man who felt as foolish as I did when I entered the gloomy dwelling-place as Hayle's p

locked up while he not only made his escape from Paris, but by so doing cut off every chance of my pursuing him afterwards; on the other, he might console himself with the almost certain knowledge that I should be discredited by those who had put their trust in me. How could it very well be otherwise? I had committed the criminal folly of accepting hospitality from the enemy, and from that moment I should not be seen. The natural supposition would be that I had been bought, and that I was not only taking no further interest in t

took up their places beside me, I fancy I should have made a dash for liberty. Under the circumstances, however, to have attempted such a thing would have been the height of folly. Five to one

he house," said Hayle. "The air is cold out her

any chance of escape. But so far as I could see there was not one. I accordingly

s of the design remained. Crossing the hall, my guide opened a door at the further end. In obedience to a request from Hayle, I entered this room, to find myself standing in a fine apartment, so far as size went, but sadly lacking in comfort where its furniture was concerned. There was a

ing yourself open to very serious consequences. If you think that by so doing you are going to prevent me from eventually running you to earth, you are v

quarrel with you. You can scarcely blame me, therefore, if I retaliate when I have an opportunity. I don't know what you may think of it, but the mere fact of you dining with me to-night is very likely to go hard with you, so far as your clients are concerned. Would it be a good advertisement for the famous George Fairfax to have it known that, while he was t

p your tongue, whatever it may cost me. Now, either let me out, or get out o

f smoke, and then

f the way altogether. I am not quite certain it wouldn't be safer, even now. It could be done so easily, and no one would be any th

"Play the same traitorous trick on me as you did on Kitwater and Co

have touched him on a raw spot, for he

own sake I should advise you to be quiet. I might tell you once and for all that you can't get out. The door is a stout one, and the windows are exceptionally well barred. The men to whom I have assigned the duty of looking after you are in their way honest, though a little rough. Moreover, they are aware that their own

top and bottom. I thereupon went to the window and examined it, only to discover that it was made secure

ontinually, gazing at me with sweet reproachful eyes. Oh! what a fool I had been to accept that rascal's invitation! The more I thought of it, the angrier

werless to scale the walls. At a rough guess these were at least twelve feet high, and without a foothold of any sort or description. This being so I was completely at the mercy of the men in the house. Indeed, a rat caught in a trap, was never more firmly laid by the heels than I. At about half-past seven o'clock a small trap-d

n the coming of my evening meal. At last there was a clatter of feet, the bolts shot back, the key turned in the lock, and the door opened. A man carrying a lantern entered, followed

invited. I called again this morning and was informed by the concierge that they had, up to that moment, seen nothing of you. When the good Lepallard informed me that you had left the restaurant in a cab with Monsieur Hayle, and that the latter had returned to his apartme

ervice you have rendered me," I replied. "But how

ed. "Has the suspicion not struck you that they wer

leader yet. And now let us get away from here as quickl

a pompous old bourgeois, and I was behind him when he a

will in all probability be off his guard. He will im

you, if you will perm

o with him? You have no case against him, and you canno

nd," he replied. "You may not believe it,

hat c

e been puzzling my brains to discover where it was, and why it was so familiar to me. A photograph was eventually sent us of the Englishman by the colonial authorities, but in that photograph he, the person I suspect, wears a beard and a heavy moustache. It is the same man, however, and the description, even to the mark upon the face, exactly tal

ted the prospect of Leglosse's co-operation with acclamation. It would be hard, if b

eat if I perish in the attempt. I am well nigh starving. A basin o

the street, and one of my men shall go there and tell them to bring you up a meal. After that you sha

did, and when it was eaten, a cab was procured, and in company with Leglosse I said good-b

treet. "Had it not been for you and your men I should now be starving in that wretched place. I'll cer

urned the Frenchman, shaking his he

d, and Leglosse's visit to find me had not helped to reassure her. A packet of letters and telegrams was handed to me, which I

the packing of the bag I intended taking with me, when there

or to see Monsieur," she sai

sked incredulously. "Wh

y confinement or not. On finding out that I had she would telegraph to him, and once more he would be placed on his guard. At first I felt almost inclined not to see her, but on second thoughts I

r the honour of this visi

the taller of them answered. "You

I cried, "what

t I feel sure that you will have time t

at her maid as if to inquire whether it was safe to speak bef

said, "you can say what

ng your trouble as being conne

have guessed correctly. Do you know

"Have you any idea where

d asks every few minutes if I have received news from you, that I cannot help thinking his mind is not what it should be. You must understand that on Saturday last, thinking it might possibly be required for the case, I drew a large sum of money from the bank; more than a hundred pounds, in fact. I securely locked it up in my writing-table, and thought no one knew anything about it. Yesterd

his address in Pa

wered. "In point of fact, he did little else. Oh! it terrifie

tired of Paris and has bolted again. Very probab

in upon that point. I did not tell her of the trick Hayle had so lately played

u to Paris, Miss Kitwater?

o you from Charing Cross to say that I wa

ome of the telegrams on one side. As ill luck would have it, Miss Kitwater's must have been amon

me to you and tell you all that has transpired. Also tha

lso whether they have been to Hayle's apartments," I said. "That

eglosse entered the room. He was in the highest spirits, as he always was when he was about

French. "I had no idea that you w

same language. "Come in and let me introduce you to

erstood you to say that your client, the gentleman who had lo

here they have been staying some time with her. It is her belief that they have come to Paris in search of Hayle. There would have been trouble had they met, but fortunately for them, and for Hayle, he

be done at once. I will let you know in l

he bowed to Miss Kitwat

ds a warrant for his arrest on a charge of embezzlement in Cochin Chi

the wretched m

n led to believ

nd follow him?" she asked, wringing her hands.

's Mr. Dick, I should be practical, and say 'dine'! I sup

a little

ainly," she answered. "Poor Nell

arranged that Miss Kitwater and her maid should be provided with rooms in the house for that night, and having done so went on to the nearest restaurant. In something less than ten minutes al

"we must discover a hotel where we can stay the night. A

care to occupy them. The old lady to whom it belongs is a particular friend of mine, and will certainly do her best

ard by adding-"It is very kind of you, Mr. Fairfax to hav

I replied. "In helping you I am

pretended not to notice it, however, but bade her maid go down to the concierge's office, and take the bag to

ght not be in your way, we might travel in different compartments; but go I must. I am so frightened about my uncle. If I follow him to Naples, it is just possible I might be able

f she did not quite know how to c

an-could travel in your own way. All that I want to be assured o

say that I think you would be far better off at home. Still if you desire to come, it's not for me to gainsay your wishes. We wil

you," s

t was as we suspected. Kitwater and Codd had arrived in Paris tha

e had gone to Naples, and they will probably leave by the 2.50 train to-morrow morn

There is nothing to fear." Then turning to Leglosse, I added-"Miss Kitwater has decided to accompany

o the other of us as

you mean?

him, in order that my clients might have a most important meeting with him. For the fut

assist me," returned Leglosse. "Let me once get my hand

atch him before w

" he answered confidently,

8.50, we left