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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ivory Snuff Box, by Arnold Fredericks
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Ivory Snuff Box
+
+Author: Arnold Fredericks
+
+Release Date: August 30, 2009 [EBook #29852]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IVORY SNUFF BOX ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE IVORY SNUFF BOX
+
+                         BY ARNOLD FREDERICKS
+
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP
+PUBLISHERS  NEW YORK
+
+Copyright, 1912, by
+W. J. WATT & COMPANY
+
+_Published October._
+
+
+
+
+THE IVORY SNUFF BOX
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+The last thing that sounded in Richard Duvall's ears as he left the
+office of Monsieur Lefevre, Prefect of Police of Paris, were the
+latter's words, spoken in a voice of mingled confidence and alarm, "The
+fortunes of a nation may depend upon your faithfulness. Go, and God be
+with you." He entered the automobile which was drawn up alongside the
+curb, and accompanied by Vernet, one of the Prefect's assistants, was
+soon threading the torrent of traffic which pours through the _Rue de
+Rivoli_.
+
+The thoughts which lay uppermost in the detective's mind were of Grace,
+his wife; Grace Ellicott, who had become Grace Duvall but little more
+than an hour before. By this time he had expected to be on his way to
+Cherbourg, _en route_ to New York, with Grace by his side. They had
+looked forward so happily to their honeymoon, on shipboard, and now--he
+found himself headed for London on this mysterious expedition, and Grace
+waiting for him in vain at the _pension_. The thought was maddening. He
+swore softly to himself as he looked out at the crowded street.
+
+Monsieur Lefevre had no right to ask so great a sacrifice of him, he
+grumbled. What if he had distinguished himself, made himself the
+Prefect's most valued assistant, during the past six or eight months?
+The matters which had brought him from New York to Paris had all been
+definitely concluded--Grace and he were married--his plans had all been
+made, to return to America, and home. Now at the last moment, it was
+frightfully exasperating to have Monsieur Lefevre insist that matters of
+so grave a nature had occurred, that the honor of his very country was
+at stake, and to call upon him, Duvall, as the one man who could set
+matters right. Of course, it was very flattering, but he wanted, not
+flattery, but Grace, and all the happiness which lay before them. What,
+after all, was this matter, this affair so vague and mysterious, into
+which he had so unexpectedly been thrown? He drew out the instructions
+which the Prefect had hurriedly thrust into his hands, and looked at
+them with eager curiosity.
+
+They covered but one side of a small sheet of paper. "Visit immediately
+number 87, _Rue de Richelieu_," they said. "It is a small curio shop.
+Monsieur Dufrenne, the proprietor, expects you, and will join you at
+once. Proceed without delay to London and report to Monsieur de Grissac,
+the French Ambassador. He has lost an ivory snuff box, which you must
+recover as quickly as possible. You will find money enclosed herewith.
+Monsieur Dufrenne you can trust in all things. God be with
+you.--Lefevre."
+
+It was the first time that Duvall had read the instructions. He had not
+had an opportunity to do so before. As he concluded his examination of
+them, his face hardened, his brow contracted in a frown, and he crushed
+the piece of paper in his hand. Was this some absurd joke that Monsieur
+Lefevre was playing upon him? The idea of separating him from Grace upon
+their wedding day, to send him on an expedition, the object of which was
+to recover a lost snuff box! It seemed preposterous. In his anger he
+muttered an exclamation which attracted the attention of Vernet. He was,
+in fact, on the point of stopping the automobile, and going at once to
+the _pension_ where Grace was waiting for him, her trunks packed for
+their wedding journey. The impassive face of the Frenchman beside him
+relaxed a trifle, as he saw Duvall's agitation. "What is it, Monsieur
+Duvall?" he inquired.
+
+"Do you know anything about this matter that makes it necessary for me
+to go to London?" demanded Duvall.
+
+"Nothing, monsieur, except that your train leaves--" he consulted his
+watch--"in twenty minutes."
+
+Duvall drew out a cigar and lit it, with a gesture of annoyance. "The
+matter does not appear very important," he grumbled.
+
+Vernet permitted a slight smile to cross his usually immobile face. "I
+have been in the service of the Prefect for ten years," he remarked,
+"and I have learned that he wastes very little time upon unimportant
+things." He leaned out and spoke to the chauffeur, and in a moment the
+car halted before a dingy little shop, on the lower floor of an old and
+dilapidated-looking house. "Here is the place of Monsieur Dufrenne," he
+remarked significantly.
+
+Duvall threw open the door of the cab, and entered the dusty and
+cobwebbed doorway. He found himself in a small dimly lighted room, so
+crowded with curios of all sorts that he at first did not perceive the
+little white-haired old man who bent over a jeweler's work bench in one
+corner. The walls were lined with shelves, upon which stood bits of
+ivory and porcelain, miniatures of all sorts, old pieces of silverware,
+bronze and copper, old coins, and rusty antique weapons. About the walls
+stood innumerable pictures, old and cracked, in dilapidated-looking
+frames, while from the ceiling were suspended bits of rusty armor,
+swords, brass censers, Chinese lamps, and innumerable other objects, the
+use of which he could scarcely guess.
+
+All these things he saw, in a queer jumble of impressions, as his eyes
+swept the place. In a moment the little old man in the corner turned,
+peering at him over his steel-rimmed spectacles. "You wish to see me,
+monsieur?" he inquired in a thin, cracked voice.
+
+"Yes. I am Richard Duvall. I come from Monsieur the Prefect of Police."
+
+The man at the workbench, on hearing these words, rose to his
+insignificant height, dropping as he did so the watch over which he had
+been working. He swept his tools into a drawer with a single gesture,
+turned to the wall behind him, drew on a thin gray overcoat and a dark
+slouch hat, and stepped from behind the counter. "I am ready, monsieur,"
+he remarked, without a trace of agitation or excitement. "Let us go."
+
+Duvall turned to the door without further words, and threw it open. The
+old man motioned to him to pass out, and after the detective had done
+so, closed and locked the door carefully and followed him into the cab.
+Duvall observed that he was frail, and uncertain in his steps, and so
+bent from constant labor over his bench, that he gave one almost the
+impression of being hunchbacked. He took his seat beside the detective
+without a word, and in a moment the whole party was being driven rapidly
+toward the _Gare du Nord_.
+
+Duvall could not repress a feeling of admiration for the way in which
+Dufrenne had received him. He had asked no questions, delayed him by no
+preparations, but had merely thrown down his tools, put on his hat, and
+started out. The importance or lack of importance of the matters which
+called him he did not inquire into--it was evidently quite enough, that
+Monsieur Lefevre desired his services. It made the detective feel
+somewhat ashamed of his recent ill nature, yet he could not but remember
+that this was his wedding day, and that in leaving his wife without even
+so much as a farewell word, he had given her good reason for doubting
+his love for her. Of course, he knew, the Prefect had assured him that
+he would explain everything to Grace, but such explanations were not
+likely to appeal very strongly to a girl who had been married but little
+more than an hour. It was, therefore, in a very dissatisfied frame of
+mind that he entered the compartment of the train for Boulogne.
+
+The compartment was a smoking one, and he and Dufrenne had it all to
+themselves. The little old Frenchman drew out a much-stained meerschaum
+pipe and began placidly to smoke it. His manner toward the detective was
+respectful, friendly indeed, yet he made no attempts at conversation,
+and seemed quite satisfied to sit and gaze out of the car window at the
+fields and villages as they swept by. Presently Duvall spoke.
+
+"Monsieur Dufrenne," he began, slowly, "you are no doubt familiar with
+the matter which takes us to London?"
+
+Dufrenne withdrew his gaze from the window and faced about in his seat
+with a nervous little gesture of assent. "I understand that Monsieur de
+Grissac has been robbed of his snuff box," he replied.
+
+"Is that all you know?" Duvall inquired pointedly. "Surely the recovery
+of an article of so little consequence cannot be the real purpose of our
+visit."
+
+The little old man shrugged his shoulders, with an almost imperceptible
+gesture of dissent. "I know nothing of the matter, monsieur," he
+remarked, significantly, "except that my country has called me, and that
+I am here." He spoke the words proudly, as though he considered the fact
+that he had been called upon an honor.
+
+"But surely, you must have some idea, monsieur, of your purpose in being
+here?"
+
+"Yes. That is indeed quite simple. On one occasion I was called upon to
+repair the snuff box of Monsieur de Grissac, the Ambassador. In that way
+I am familiar with its appearance. Now that it is lost, I am requested
+to accompany you, monsieur, in your attempt to recover it, in order that
+I may assist you in identifying it."
+
+"And beyond that, you know nothing?"
+
+"Nothing, monsieur."
+
+Duvall began to chew the end of his cigar in vexation. Of all the absurd
+expeditions, this seemed the most absurd. Presently he turned to
+Dufrenne and again spoke. "In your repairs upon this snuff box, to which
+so great a value is apparently attached, did you observe anything about
+it of a peculiar nature--anything to make its loss a matter of such
+grave importance?"
+
+"Nothing, monsieur. It is a small, round ivory box, with a carved top,
+quite plain and of little value--"
+
+"But the contents? What, perhaps, did Monsieur de Grissac carry within
+it?"
+
+"Snuff, monsieur. It was quite half-full when it came to me, last April.
+Monsieur de Grissac was in Paris at the time. The spring which actuates
+the top had become broken--the box is very old, monsieur--and I was
+required to repair it. That is all I know."
+
+"And you close your shop, and leave Paris without a word, just for a
+thing like that?"
+
+Dufrenne straightened his bent shoulders, and his eyes sparkled. "When
+France calls me, monsieur, I have nothing to do but obey."
+
+His reply seemed almost in the nature of a reproof. Duvall made no
+further comment and relapsed into a brown study. After all, he knew,
+even in his irritation, that Monsieur Lefevre had not sent him upon this
+adventure without some real and very good reason. Yet try as he would,
+he was unable to imagine what this reason could be. Of course, there
+must have been something inside the box, his final conclusion was, else
+why should any one have stolen it? No doubt the Ambassador, Monsieur de
+Grissac, would acquaint him with the truth of the affair. Possibly the
+box may have contained papers of great value--though why one should
+choose such a place for the concealment of valuable papers he could not
+imagine. The whole affair seemed shrouded in mystery, and no amount of
+speculation on his part, apparently, would throw any light upon it. He
+lay back in his seat, dozing, and thinking of Grace and their
+interrupted honeymoon.
+
+At Boulogne they transferred to the boat for Folkstone, and after a
+quiet passage, found themselves on board the train for London. They
+reached Charing Cross early in the evening, and taking a cab, drove at
+once to Monsieur de Grissac's residence in Piccadilly, opposite Green
+Park.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains
+in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and
+unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was
+proceeding in the direction of Brussels.
+
+The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than
+were Richard's, to him. At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which
+had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the
+_pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.
+She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned
+him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had
+assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been
+enough for her.
+
+Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the
+Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of
+the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at
+once to London.
+
+The girl's grief and alarm had been great--Monsieur Lefevre had at last,
+however, succeeded in convincing her that Richard could not under the
+circumstances have done anything but go. His position as an assistant to
+Lefevre, and more particularly the friendship which existed between
+them, made it imperative for him to come to the Prefect's assistance in
+this crisis.
+
+What the crisis was, Grace did not learn. She had insisted upon
+following Richard, upon being near him, upon assisting him, should
+opportunity offer, and Monsieur Lefevre, seized with a sudden
+inspiration, had dispatched her to Brussels, with the assurance that she
+would not only see her husband very soon, but might be able to render
+both him, and France, a very signal service.
+
+Grace had accepted the mission; her desire to be near Richard was a
+compelling motive, and as a result she found herself flying toward the
+Belgian frontier, on an early afternoon express, with no idea whatever
+of what lay before her, and only a few words, written by Monsieur
+Lefevre upon a page torn from his notebook, to govern her future
+actions.
+
+She luckily was able to find a compartment in one of the first-class
+carriages where she could be alone, and sank back upon the cushioned
+seat, determined to face whatever dangers the future might hold, for the
+sake of her husband.
+
+Her mind traveled, in retrospect, over the events of the past few
+months--the conspiracy against her, by her step-uncle, Count d'Este, by
+which he had so nearly deprived her of the fortune left to her by her
+aunt, and the striking way in which his plans had been upset by Richard
+Duvall. She had loved him at their very first meeting, and now that they
+had become husband and wife, she loved him more than ever. It is small
+wonder that the thought of the way in which he had been suddenly torn
+from her, on the eve of their wedding journey, brought tears to her
+eyes.
+
+Presently she regained her composure and looked at the sheet of paper
+which the Prefect had handed to her. It contained but a few words:
+"Proceed to the Hotel Metropole, Brussels. Take a room in the name of
+Grace Ellicott, and wait further instructions." That was all--no hint of
+how or when she and Richard were to meet, or what had been the cause of
+their separation. Once more the cruelty of the situation brought tears
+to her eyes. While feeling in her handbag for her handkerchief, she drew
+out the small silver ring which the Prefect had handed to her at the
+last moment. "Trust any one," he had said, "who comes to you with such a
+token as this." She examined the ring carefully, but the singular device
+worked in gold upon the silver band, meant nothing to her. At length she
+placed the ring carefully upon her finger, and proceeded to cover it by
+putting on her glove.
+
+For a long time she sat, speculating upon the strange workings of fate,
+which doomed her to be thus speeding alone to Brussels, instead of to
+Cherbourg, _en route_ to America, with Richard by her side. The sight of
+two lovers, who boarded the train at St. Quentin, increased her
+dissatisfaction. They came into the compartment, evidently quite wrapped
+up in each other, and even the presence of a third person did not
+prevent them from holding each other's hands under the cover of a
+friendly magazine, and gazing at each other with longing eyes. Grace was
+quite unable to endure the sight of their happiness--she turned away and
+buried herself in her thoughts.
+
+Presently the adventure-loving side of her nature began to assert
+itself. Richard had been sent on a mission of the greatest
+importance--one involving, Monsieur Lefevre had told her, the honor of
+both his country and himself. And she was to share it--to take part in
+its excitement, its dangers. The thought stirred all her love of the
+mysterious, the unusual. After all, since she had become the wife of a
+man whose profession in life was the detection of crime, should she not
+herself take an interest, an active part in his work, and thereby
+encourage and assist him? The thought made her impatient of all
+delay--she felt herself almost trying to urge the train to quicker
+motion--she was glad when at last they roared into the station at
+Brussels.
+
+Grace had never before been in the Belgian capital, but she summoned a
+cab, and proceeded without difficulty to the Hotel Metropole. Here she
+was assigned to a small suite, and at once began to unpack the steamer
+trunk which was the only baggage she had brought with her. It was after
+four o'clock when she had completed this task, and had removed the
+stains of travel and changed her gown. As she came into the tiny parlor
+which formed the second of the two rooms of the suite, she heard a
+tapping at the door, and upon opening it, discovered one of the hotel
+maids, waiting outside with fresh towels. The girl came in, and busied
+herself setting to rights the toilet articles on the washstand. Grace,
+who was engaged in listlessly watching the traffic in the square
+outside, paid no attention to her. Presently she heard the girl come in
+from the bedroom, and inquire if there was anything else that she could
+do for her. "Nothing," she replied, without turning. The maid, however,
+did not leave the room, but stood near by, observing her. Grace faced
+about. "That is all," she said sharply.
+
+"I have something to say to you, mademoiselle," the girl whispered in a
+low tone, as she took a step forward. "A message from Monsieur Lefevre."
+
+"Monsieur Lefevre? You?"
+
+"Yes, mademoiselle, I am in his confidence. I know the purpose of your
+visit here, and I come to give you further instructions." She spoke
+quietly, impressively, and Grace was convinced that she was what she
+represented herself to be. Still, she felt the necessity of caution.
+"Please explain," she remarked, without further committing herself.
+
+The girl approached still closer, and reaching into the bosom of her
+dress, drew out a ring similar to the one which the Prefect had given
+Grace. It was attached to a bit of ribbon. She glanced at the ring on
+Grace's finger and smiled. "May I suggest, mademoiselle," she said,
+"that you place the ring you are wearing where it will be less
+conspicuous?"
+
+Grace colored slightly at the criticism which the woman's words implied,
+but drew the ring from her finger and placed it in her purse. "What have
+you to say to me?" she inquired.
+
+"This, mademoiselle. Certain persons, whose identity is not known to the
+police, have committed a theft in London--in fact, have stolen a
+valuable article from the French Ambassador there, Monsieur de Grissac.
+This theft was committed this morning."
+
+"What did they steal?" asked Grace.
+
+"Monsieur de Grissac's ivory snuff box, mademoiselle."
+
+"His snuff box? You don't mean to say that they are making all this fuss
+over a trifling thing like a snuff box?"
+
+"Yes, mademoiselle. Such is, indeed, the case."
+
+"But why?"
+
+"That I cannot tell. I do not know. It is sufficient to me that Monsieur
+Lefevre wishes it recovered. In our service, mademoiselle, we are not
+supposed to ask questions, but to obey orders."
+
+Grace repressed her annoyance as best she could. "I suppose it must be
+very valuable," she remarked, lamely.
+
+"Undoubtedly. Very valuable, as you say. Now that it is stolen, it must
+be recovered without delay. Monsieur Lefevre informs us here in Brussels
+that others have gone to London to recover it. Should they fail to do
+so--we believe that the persons who have committed the theft will come
+here."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because they are acting, we believe, in the interests of a certain Dr.
+Hartmann, who is a resident of Brussels."
+
+"Why should this Dr. Hartmann want the box?" asked Grace, somewhat
+mystified.
+
+"That I am unable to tell you. He is an enemy of my country. He has many
+agents, and is a man of great power."
+
+"But why don't you arrest him?"
+
+"Alas, mademoiselle, you do not understand. This Dr. Hartmann is a
+physician of great prominence. His cures of nervous and mental disorders
+have made him famous throughout Europe. He has in Brussels--just outside
+the city, a sanatorium, where he receives and treats his patients. He is
+looked up to by all. His work as an enemy of France is quite secret,
+known to but a few. Even we know very little about it."
+
+"Then how do you know that he had anything to do with the matter of this
+snuff box?"
+
+"We do not know it--we only surmise. There is a reason, which I am not
+permitted at present to tell you, which causes Monsieur Lefevre to
+believe that Dr. Hartmann had a hand in this matter. It is for that
+reason, indeed, that he has sent you here."
+
+"What can I do?"
+
+"I will tell you. For a long time we have tried to get one of our own
+agents into Dr. Hartmann's house, but without success. He is very
+shrewd--very cautious. All his servants are countrymen of his, upon whom
+he knows he can depend. His patients are people of wealth, position,
+standing, who, he knows, could not possibly be agents of the French
+police. He will take no others, and always insists upon the strictest
+references. It is for these reasons that we have failed. Now an
+opportunity presents itself for you, mademoiselle, to accomplish that
+which the police cannot accomplish. You are an American girl, of
+prominent family, of wealth, of position. I am informed that your aunt,
+by her second marriage, was the Countess d'Este. Should you apply to Dr.
+Hartmann for treatment, you will have no difficulty in obtaining
+admission, for he could not, by any chance, think that Miss Grace
+Ellicott, of New York, was in the employ of the French secret police.
+You observe, mademoiselle, Monsieur the Prefect's object in sending you
+to Brussels?"
+
+Grace nodded. She was beginning to feel a keen interest in the matter.
+"But I am not ill," she said, with a laugh. "How can I ask Dr. Hartmann
+to treat me?"
+
+"We have thought of that. The matter has been under consideration ever
+since we were advised, early this afternoon, that you were coming. We
+have thought it best that you represent yourself to the doctor as a
+somnambulist."
+
+"A sleep walker?"
+
+"Precisely. It is a form of nervous trouble which is by no means
+infrequent. We are informed that Dr. Hartmann has treated several such
+cases in the past. There are not symptoms, except a state of nervousness
+on the part of the patient which in your case it is probable the
+excitement of the enterprise will supply, and, of course, the tendency
+to walking in the sleep. This latter you must assume."
+
+"Assume?"
+
+"Yes. You must pretend to be a somnambulist. You must get up, each
+night, at some hour, and wander about the house--pretending to be
+oblivious of all about you. You are not normally conscious. You are in a
+walking dream. Your eyes are fixed ahead--seeing no one. It will not be
+difficult for you to pretend all this--and naturally, by wandering about
+in this way, you may--we hope you will--have excellent opportunities to
+observe what goes on within the doctor's walls."
+
+"Is that all I am to do--just watch?"
+
+"I think not. If we are unable, by other means, to prevent the stolen
+box from being delivered to Dr. Hartmann, it must be recovered from him,
+at any cost--at any cost whatever--" the woman repeated, significantly.
+"Even life itself cannot be spared, in this case. The box _must be
+recovered_, no matter what the price we pay--so we are informed by
+Monsieur Lefevre."
+
+"Then if it should pass into his possession, I may have to steal it? Is
+that what you mean?"
+
+"Undoubtedly, and at the very first opportunity." The girl rose,
+gathered up the soiled towels which she had taken from the bedroom, and
+went toward the door. "That is all, mademoiselle, except that you will
+communicate to us any news of importance by means of a young man who
+goes to the house each morning and evening to deliver bread. He comes in
+a small wagon, and you will no doubt be able to speak with him, as he
+enters or leaves the grounds. He is quite safe, and can be trusted.
+Address your communications to him verbally--no letters, understand;
+they are always dangerous. And now, let me suggest that you arrange to
+see Dr. Hartmann at once."
+
+"But--he may require reference--credentials."
+
+"We have thought of that, and have prepared the way. One of our men has
+ascertained that the United States Minister here is acquainted with
+you--that your family is known to him. Your aunt, you will remember, was
+quite prominent in society, in New York, at the time she married
+Monsieur the Count d'Este. Whether the Minister is acquainted with you
+personally, we have not been able to learn, but that he knows who you
+are, is certain."
+
+"Then I had best call upon him, and arrange for letters to Dr.
+Hartmann."
+
+"That is the best course. His house is near by. Take a cab at once, go
+to him, and state your errand. You will have no difficulty, I feel
+sure." She noiselessly opened the door, and in a moment was gone,
+leaving Grace in a state of wonder. She did not waste much time,
+however, in speculating upon the curious affair in which she found
+herself involved, but putting on her hat, started off at once in search
+of the American Minister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+When Richard Duvall and his companion entered the house of the French
+Ambassador in London, it was evident that their arrival was expected.
+The detective had no more than given his name to the butler who threw
+open the door, when the latter, with a bow of recognition, conducted
+them to a small reception-room to the right of the entrance, and
+informed them that Monsieur de Grissac would see them at once.
+
+They did not have long to wait. The Ambassador, a thin, spare,
+nervous-looking man of sixty, with white hair and a gray-white mustache,
+came hurriedly into the room after but a few moments had elapsed, and
+greeting them excitedly, bade them be seated. He himself remained
+standing, his back to the fireplace, twirling his eyeglasses at the end
+of their black silk ribbon, and observing his visitors keenly.
+
+"Monsieur Lefevre had informed me of your coming, gentlemen," he
+presently burst out. "We have no time to lose."
+
+"Let us have the details of the affair, monsieur," Duvall remarked,
+seating himself comfortably in his chair. "So far we are completely in
+the dark."
+
+"You know, do you not, that a valuable article, a small snuff box, to be
+exact--has been stolen from me?"
+
+"Yes. Of that I have been informed," the detective remarked, dryly. "I
+am curious to learn why the loss of an article of so trivial a nature
+should be regarded with such seriousness."
+
+The Ambassador's eyes snapped--he seemed almost to resent the
+detective's attitude. "It should be sufficient, monsieur, I think, that
+it is so regarded. The task before us is to recover it--not discuss the
+reasons for doing so."
+
+"I disagree with you, monsieur. If the real value of the stolen article
+is kept from me, how can I draw any conclusions as to the probable
+object of its theft? Was it intrinsically valuable? Did it contain
+anything of value? In short, why should any one have taken the trouble
+to steal it? Tell me that, and I can act intelligently. Otherwise, I
+shall be only groping about in the dark."
+
+"I do not think so, monsieur." The Ambassador bent upon Duvall a
+searching glance. "The fact that the box is gone should be sufficient.
+All that I ask is that you recover it. You must trace its disappearance
+from the material facts of the case. Conjecture will avail us nothing."
+
+"Is the box then of no value?"
+
+"I have not said so. As a matter of fact, its value is great. It has
+been an heirloom in my family for many years. At one time it belonged to
+Cardinal Mazarin."
+
+"You think, then, that its intrinsic value alone might have prompted the
+theft?"
+
+"I think so--indeed, I very greatly hope so."
+
+"Why?"
+
+The Ambassador recovered himself with a start. Evidently he had said
+more than he intended. It was some time before he answered the question
+and then he did so lamely. "Its theft by someone interested in its value
+as a curiosity would enable me to recover it most readily--by the
+payment, of course, of a sum of money."
+
+"True. But I assume, from what you say, that there might be other
+reasons; that it might have been taken by those who suspected that it
+had another value?"
+
+For a moment Monsieur de Grissac appeared confused. Then he waved his
+hand impatiently. "There are those," he said, "who seek to injure me.
+They know that I prized this thing highly. Their motive may have
+been--not money, but revenge. In that case, its recovery will be vastly
+more difficult."
+
+Duvall saw that Monsieur de Grissac was not being frank with him, and
+for a moment he was conscious of a deep sense of annoyance. Monsieur
+Lefevre had, heretofore, invariably taken him into his confidence. He
+controlled his feelings, however, and appeared to be satisfied with the
+Ambassador's explanations. "What did the box contain, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he asked, pleasantly.
+
+"A quantity of snuff, monsieur."
+
+"Nothing else?"
+
+"Nothing."
+
+"Oh! And you, monsieur, are in the habit of using snuff?"
+
+"Yes. It is the only form in which I use tobacco. Old-fashioned,
+perhaps, but I belong to the older generation." He straightened himself
+up suddenly. "Let us proceed, gentlemen. I fear we are wasting valuable
+time."
+
+Duvall nodded. "Permit me to ask you a few more questions."
+
+"I am at your service, monsieur."
+
+"When did you last see the box?"
+
+"This morning, at nine o'clock. I always carry it in the right-hand
+pocket of my waistcoat. To insure its safety, I had it attached to a
+long gold chain, which was securely fastened to the inside of the
+pocket. I rose this morning somewhat late, having attended a banquet
+last night. After having my coffee and rolls in my bedroom, I went to my
+dressing-room to be shaved. As I did so, I paused for a moment, drew the
+snuff box from the pocket of my white evening waistcoat, which my valet
+had hung in a closet the night before, and took a pinch of snuff from
+it. I then replaced it in the pocket and entered the dressing-room
+adjoining, where Noël, my man, was waiting for me. He proceeded to shave
+me as usual, and I began to dress. Upon going to the closet in my
+bedroom to remove the box, and fasten it by means of the chain to the
+clasp in the pocket of the waistcoat I had just put on, I was amazed to
+find it gone. I at once summoned Noël--"
+
+"Summoned him?" interrupted the detective. "Was he not with you in the
+room?"
+
+"No. A few moments before--as soon, in fact, as I had completed
+dressing, he left the apartment to give some instructions to my
+chauffeur."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I at once rushed out into the hall, calling for Noël."
+
+"You believed, then, that he had taken the box?"
+
+"I could believe nothing else. No one but he had been in my rooms."
+
+"Oh! I see. And you questioned him?"
+
+"Yes. On reaching the hall I met one of the maids ascending the
+stairway. I called to her, asking if she had seen Noël. She had not. She
+had been in the servants' hall--talking with the chauffeur--Noël had not
+been there."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I rushed to his room, which is on the floor above, thinking that, if he
+had taken the box, and proposed to deny the fact, he would have gone
+there to secrete it."
+
+"Would he not have been more likely to leave the house immediately since
+he knew you would discover your loss at once?"
+
+"No. He would realize that to flee would be to admit his guilt. He could
+not have gone more than a few hundred feet. Capture would have been
+inevitable."
+
+"Did you find the man in the room?"
+
+"He was just leaving it as I came up."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I ordered him back into the room, and questioned him sharply. He denied
+all knowledge of the matter, and appeared to be deeply hurt at my
+suspicions."
+
+"Did you believe him?"
+
+"I do not know. The matter is incomprehensible. Noël has
+been in my service for eight years. I supposed him absolutely
+incorruptible--absolutely honest. He also insists that after I left the
+bedroom, and came into the dressing-room to be shaved, he did not leave
+me, nor again enter the bedroom; in which case, he could not have
+committed the theft."
+
+"Is this true?"
+
+"So far as I can remember, it is." He spoke in a slightly hesitating
+way, and Duvall at once noticed it. "You are, then, not absolutely
+sure?" he asked.
+
+"I feel confident that Noël did not leave me, nor enter the bedroom. If
+I hesitated for a moment, it arose from the fact that on one or two
+occasions I have fallen asleep while being shaved, but this morning I am
+quite sure that I did not do so."
+
+"Yet you were up late last night, and awoke feeling sleepy and tired."
+
+"Yes." The Ambassador nodded. "That is true."
+
+"Is there any other door to the bedroom?"
+
+"None, except that which opens into my bath. The bathroom has no
+windows. It is an inside room."
+
+"And the bedroom?"
+
+"It has two windows, facing upon the adjoining property. There is quite
+thirty feet of space between the two buildings and the windows are at
+least twenty-five feet from the ground."
+
+"What room is above?"
+
+"A guest's chamber, unused and locked."
+
+Duvall rose and began to stride up and down the room, chewing viciously
+upon his unlighted cigar. "After you finished questioning the man, what
+did you do then?"
+
+"I searched his room thoroughly, and made him turn out the contents of
+his pockets, his trunk and bureau drawers."
+
+"And you found--?"
+
+"Nothing. That was before noon to-day. Since then, I have kept the man
+locked in his room, awaiting your coming. One of the other servants has
+remained on guard outside his door ever since."
+
+"You did not, then, notify the police?"
+
+"No. The matter is one that, for reasons of my own, I do not wish to
+become public."
+
+"Has anything been heard from your prisoner since this morning?"
+
+"Yes. He asked for pen and ink about one o'clock this afternoon. I went
+up to see him, to find out why he wanted them. He seemed deeply
+affected, was almost in tears, and apparently afraid to meet my gaze. He
+said he wished to write a note, breaking an engagement he had had for
+this afternoon. He usually had Wednesday afternoons off. I permitted him
+to write the letter."
+
+Duvall began to show signs of deep interest on hearing this. "Where is
+it?" he exclaimed.
+
+"What, monsieur?" The Ambassador evidently did not follow him.
+
+"The letter."
+
+"I sent it, of course."
+
+"But you read it first?"
+
+"Yes. It was addressed to a man named Seltz, Oscar Seltz, if I recollect
+correctly, at a barber shop in Piccadilly Circus, which, as you know, is
+close by. This fellow Seltz was a friend of Noël's. I have several times
+heard him speak of him. They were accustomed to spend their afternoons
+off together, I understand."
+
+"And the note?" asked Duvall, impatiently. "What did it say?"
+
+"Merely that Noël was unable to keep his appointment for that afternoon,
+and did not expect to see his friend again before his departure. Seltz
+must have been planning some trip. The letter, as I remember, was quite
+cool, almost unfriendly in its tone."
+
+Duvall glanced at his watch. "This was about one o'clock you say?"
+
+"Yes. The matter has no significance. We are wasting our time discussing
+it."
+
+"On the contrary, monsieur, I fear it may have had the greatest
+significance. That letter should never have been delivered. Even now, it
+may be too late to prevent the consequences. Be so good, monsieur, as to
+conduct me to this man Noël's room at once." He turned to Dufrenne. "You
+will accompany us, of course, Monsieur Dufrenne," he said, then followed
+the Ambassador toward the hall.
+
+In a few moments they reached the third floor of the house, and passed
+along a short hall which gave entrance to a rear extension of the
+building, in which the servants' quarters were located. At the entrance
+of the hall, a maid was seated upon a stool, reading a book. She rose as
+the others approached, and stood respectfully aside.
+
+"Has anything been heard from Noël?" the Ambassador asked. "Has he asked
+for anything?"
+
+"Nothing, monsieur. He has been quiet ever since six o'clock, when I
+took him his supper."
+
+"What was he doing when you entered?"
+
+"Writing, monsieur. He was sitting at the table, with a pen in his hand,
+and he looked up and told me to put the tray on the trunk. 'I shall ask
+you to take this letter to Monsieur de Grissac as soon as I have
+finished it,' he said. Since then I have heard nothing from him."
+
+Duvall had preceded the Ambassador and Dufrenne to the door at the end
+of the short hall, and stood listening intently. In a moment, De Grissac
+came up, and, unlocking the door, threw it open. The room was dimly
+illuminated by a single candle, which smoked and guttered in its socket,
+apparently nearly burned out. Nothing was at first to be seen of the
+valet. Duvall stepped forward, then turned quickly and spoke. "Shut the
+door, please," he said in a tense voice.
+
+Dufrenne did so, while the Ambassador strode forward and followed
+Duvall's gaze with a look of horror. On the floor beside the bed, and to
+the far side of the room from the door, lay the body of the unfortunate
+valet, his face, ghastly pale, turned toward the ceiling. But it was
+neither the sight of the man lying there, apparently dead, nor the
+agonized expression of his face, which caused both the Ambassador and
+Duvall to start back with exclamations of surprise. Across the man's
+lips was a great, dull-red blotch, which at first appeared to be a clot
+of blood, but which seemed, from its circular form and regular contour,
+more like a huge seal. And seal it was. Duvall, dropping on one knee
+beside the body, felt for the man's heart, at the same time looking
+closely at the mark upon his lips. He was quite dead, and had apparently
+been so for an hour or two. The blot upon his face was a great lump of
+red sealing wax, tightly binding together his lips, and upon it was the
+coarse imprint of a man's forefingers.
+
+The Ambassador shrank back with a cry, as his eyes fell upon the ghastly
+sight. Dufrenne gazed at the dead man impassively. Duvall, springing to
+his feet, went at once to the window at the rear of the room, which
+stood partly open, and raising it to its full extent, looked out. The
+others heard him give utterance to a low whistle, as he drew back into
+the room.
+
+"No one could have entered the room," cried the Ambassador, in a
+frightened voice. "It is thirty-five feet or more to the ground."
+
+Duvall motioned to the window. "Look out, monsieur," he remarked,
+quietly.
+
+De Grissac did so, then uttered a sudden cry. From the window to the
+garden below stretched a long slender wooden ladder. "It belongs to the
+men who have been repairing the rain spouting," he exclaimed. "They
+leave it in the garden, at night. I knew there was no way in which Noël
+could get out."
+
+"But clearly a way, monsieur, by which others could get in," said
+Duvall, quietly, as he began a minute examination of the room.
+
+"But the snuff box--do you think it has been taken away?"
+
+"Undoubtedly, monsieur. I suspected as much, when you showed me the
+man's letter. Your servant, I have no doubt, took the box while shaving
+you this morning. You doubtless dozed off, thus giving him the
+opportunity. He did not know that you had taken snuff from the box this
+morning shortly after arising, and imagined, no doubt, that you would
+suppose you had lost it some time the night before. This would relieve
+him of any suspicion. He hurried off to his room to secrete the box,
+meaning to deliver it to this friend of his, Oscar Seltz, during the
+afternoon. His arraignment by you, his subsequent imprisonment, no doubt
+frightened him and filled him with remorse--hence his rather unfriendly
+letter to Seltz. He had repented of his bargain, and was doubtless
+engaged in preparing a confession, telling you of his crime, and the
+reasons therefor, when the murderer entered the room.
+
+"The latter, who probably was this man Seltz, must have become alarmed
+by the tone of Noël's letter. He was, it seems clear, planning some trip
+away from London, upon which he was about to leave. He meant to take the
+snuff box with him. Upon receiving Noël's letter he determined to see
+him and demand the box, if he found the latter had secured it. No doubt
+he made inquiries from some of the servants, on calling to see Noël, and
+was informed that he was confined to his room. He then pretended to
+leave, but in reality, ascended to the room by means of the ladder he
+found in the garden, while the servants were at dinner. It was a
+desperate chance, but he took it. Upon arriving in the room, he found
+Noël engaged in preparing his confession, insisted upon reading it, then
+realizing that his confederate was about to play him false, killed him,
+after gaining possession of the box, and departed."
+
+The Ambassador uttered a groan. "My God," he moaned, "I am lost!"
+
+Dufrenne, who meanwhile had been making a careful examination of the
+dead valet's body, rose with a mystified expression upon his face.
+"There are no wounds upon the body at all, Monsieur Duvall," he said.
+"How can you account for this man's death?"
+
+Duvall stooped, and repeated the examination which his companion had
+just made. "You are right," he said. "The case is a most mysterious
+one."
+
+"At least we can identify the murderer by the finger print upon the
+seal," De Grissac remarked, eagerly.
+
+"I'm afraid not. This man Seltz cannot be quite a fool. Look!" He held
+up the forefinger of the dead man's right hand, upon which was a dull
+red burn, with bits of the red sealing wax about the nail. "He wasn't
+taking any chances." He let the already stiffening arm fall, and
+continued his examination of the body. "The method by which the man was
+killed," he remarked slowly, "is not yet clear to me. Certain finger
+prints on the throat indicate that he might have been strangled, but
+they are hardly deep or extensive enough for that. I fancy they would
+have resulted in temporary unconsciousness only. No--there is another
+reason--although what it is--" He paused as his eyes lit upon a thin
+shining object on the floor beside the table. "Oh, this may tell us
+something." He picked up the thing, which the others saw at once to be a
+large scarf pin, and examined it carefully.
+
+"Did this belong to your servant, Monsieur de Grissac," he asked,
+holding the pin up to the light.
+
+"Yes." The Ambassador glanced at the pin carelessly. "It was one of my
+own that I had given him, some months ago."
+
+Duvall laid the scarf pin carefully upon the table, then went to the
+body on the floor, turned it over and made a careful examination of the
+back of the neck. He held the candle close, pushing aside the man's thin
+sandy hair. Presently he rose and placed the candle on the table beside
+the pin. "This was what your servant was killed with, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he said, as he indicated the scarf pin with his finger. "It
+was thrust violently into the spine, at the base of the brain. Only a
+tiny blood spot remains to tell the tale. This fellow Seltz is a shrewd
+customer."
+
+"We do not even know that it was he who committed the crime. There is no
+real evidence against anyone. The snuff box may still be here. I insist
+that you make a thorough search."
+
+"It would be useless, monsieur," Duvall remarked with a faint smile.
+"The box must have been on the table when the murderer entered the
+room."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because otherwise he would have searched for it, and you would have
+found everything in disorder. Believe me, monsieur, your servant had
+repented of his theft, and was about to return the box to you--it was
+that which caused his death. The seal upon his lips is a gruesome
+joke--silence--his lips are sealed--he can tell nothing."
+
+"Seltz must be arrested at once," the Ambassador cried, in a rage.
+
+"So far, monsieur, there is not the slightest evidence against him.
+Further, it is my opinion that he will leave London at once. Tell me the
+name of the shop in Piccadilly Circus where he was employed, and we will
+lose no further time in getting on his trail."
+
+The Ambassador was not entirely certain of the location of the shop. He
+had never visited it. The name, he remembered, was given in the note as
+Perrier. The note had been delivered by one of the servants; he could
+tell where, and to whom he had delivered it.
+
+Duvall recommended to the Ambassador that he report the murder to the
+police at once, but requested that no mention be made of the presence of
+himself and Monsieur Dufrenne. "We should be held as witnesses," he
+cautioned Monsieur de Grissac, "and that would seriously interfere with
+our plans. Let us interview the servant who took the letter at once."
+
+The latter, a groom, was soon disposed of. He gave the number and
+location of the barber shop in Piccadilly Circus, a short distance away,
+and reported that he had handed the message to a dark, smooth-shaven man
+at the second chair. He did not know Seltz, but the proprietor had
+pointed him out in response to his inquiries. His description of the man
+was vague and unsatisfactory; he was unable to give any further
+information on the subject. Investigations as to anyone having made
+inquiries at the servants' entrance during the evening, regarding Noël,
+elicited the information that a heavily built, dark man, smooth-shaven,
+had called about half-past seven, and upon being informed that the valet
+was confined to his room and could not be seen, had disappeared. No one
+had taken any particular notice of his coming or going.
+
+When the party had once more assembled in the reception-room, Duvall
+turned to Monsieur de Grissac. "There is nothing more to be accomplished
+here, monsieur," he remarked, quietly. "We will get after this fellow
+Seltz at once, and I trust that before long the missing snuff box will
+be returned to you."
+
+The Ambassador shook hands with his guests, in a state of extreme
+agitation. "Lose no time," he urged. "You must recover the box before
+the thief has an opportunity to turn it over to those who are back of
+him, else it will be too late. I shall pray for your success." He stood
+at the door as his guests departed, shaking as though with a palsy. "It
+is a matter of greater moment than life itself. I trust you will not
+fail."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+Richard Duvall, accompanied by the silent little curio dealer, left the
+home of the French Ambassador and walked rapidly to the barber shop of
+Alphonse Perrier in Piccadilly Circus. They found the place without
+difficulty, a large and evidently prosperous establishment, located on
+the ground floor of a building, the upper rooms of which were devoted to
+business offices. A large plate glass window in front bore the sign,
+"Alphonse Perrier, Tonsorial Parlors."
+
+The detective and his companion walked slowly past the brightly lighted
+window, their eyes taking in the details of the interior of the place.
+It was now close to ten o'clock, but the street was filled with
+pedestrians, and there were still one or two customers in the shop. At
+the first chair toward the door stood a large pasty-faced man, with a
+mop of bushy black hair, who was engaged in trimming a young man's
+mustache. The second chair was occupied by a man who was being shaved.
+The fellow who was shaving him answered in a general way to the
+descriptions of Seltz given by the Ambassador's servants. The third
+chair was unoccupied, and the man in charge of it, as well as those at
+the remaining two chairs, were engaged in putting away their razors and
+brushes, preparatory to leaving. It was evident that the closing hour
+was near at hand.
+
+Duvall turned to his companion, "Monsieur Dufrenne," he said, "will you
+enter at once and take the third chair? Keep your eyes and ears open,
+and see what you can learn. I will wait here in the shadow of the next
+doorway. Our man is evidently inside. He will soon be leaving the shop.
+If he does so, before you do, I shall follow him. In that event, return
+to Monsieur de Grissac's house and wait there for word from me."
+
+Dufrenne felt his stubbly beard. "It is fortunate, monsieur, that I have
+not been shaved since Monday," he said, as he entered the shop.
+
+The man in charge of the third chair looked at him with a sulky
+expression as he took his seat. His companions grinned. Evidently he had
+not expected another customer before the closing hour. He began to shave
+the little old Frenchman with careless haste. The latter lay in his
+chair, with half-closed eyes, pretending to doze. In reality he was
+watching every movement of the man next to him.
+
+The customer who occupied the second chair was a small, thin man, with
+sandy hair and a bony face. His eyes, rather prominent, under sparse red
+eyebrows, were closed as though in sleep. He was not paying the
+slightest attention to his surroundings, taking no notice whatever of
+Seltz, who was going over his face in a stolid and methodical way. There
+seemed nothing about either of them to attract attention--and Dufrenne
+began to wonder whether they might not after all be upon a false scent.
+The man Seltz showed neither haste nor nervousness in his movements--if
+he was in a hurry to finish his work for the evening, and leave the
+place, he certainly did not show it.
+
+After a time, Dufrenne observed that the thin man in the chair next to
+him had opened his eyes, and was feeling his jaw with much satisfaction.
+"A very good shave, my good fellow," he said, in excellent English,
+without a trace of any foreign accent. "What powder was that you used,
+may I ask?"
+
+Dufrenne, who was observing Seltz carelessly, saw a sudden change come
+over him. His eyes lit up with interest, and a slight flush overspread
+his face. There seemed nothing in so simple a question to arouse him in
+this way, and Dufrenne watched him carefully, his senses keenly alert
+for anything of interest. To his disappointment, Seltz's answer was of
+the most commonplace character. "It is a special kind, which Monsieur
+Perrier has made for him, after his own formula. 'Poudre Perrier,' it is
+called." He turned to the case behind him, opened a drawer and brought
+forth a round cardboard box. "Eightpence is the price. Would you like to
+try a box?" He extended the package toward his customer, who had risen
+and was adjusting his scarf at the mirror.
+
+The man turned and glanced carelessly at the box. "Oh, you might wrap it
+up. I shave myself, occasionally, when I'm traveling. Eightpence, you
+say?"
+
+"Yes, sir." Seltz turned to the case and began to do up the package in a
+piece of brown paper. In a few moments he turned and handed it to his
+customer, who had drawn on his coat, and was preparing to leave the
+place. Dufrenne saw him put his hand into his pocket and draw out some
+money, which he handed to Seltz. The latter nodded gravely and placed it
+in his pocket. The thin-faced man did the same with the package, then
+left the shop. There was nothing in the least suspicious about the whole
+transaction, and the little Frenchman contented himself with observing
+Seltz as he put away his brushes and prepared to stop work for the day.
+Once he saw the man draw something from his pocket and glance hurriedly
+at it, but his back was toward the chair in which Dufrenne sat, and he
+could not see what it was. A sense of uneasiness filled him, however, as
+the man who was shaving him drew away the sheet from about his shoulders
+and stepped back to allow him to rise.
+
+He made his way to the street as quickly as possible. Seltz was still
+occupied in putting away his shaving implements.
+
+On reaching the pavement, Dufrenne turned and walked rapidly toward
+Charing Cross. He did not wish to join Duvall in sight of those within.
+He had taken but a few paces when the latter caught up to him. "What did
+you learn?" the detective asked, quickly.
+
+Dufrenne related in a few words what had occurred in the shop. He failed
+to note the excitement with which the detective listened to his story.
+"It may have been the snuff box," Duvall cried, moving forward rapidly
+in his excitement. "A clever scheme, I must say." He looked about
+eagerly for the man who had left the shop so short a time before, but he
+had disappeared in the darkness. "If you could only have warned me in
+some way."
+
+"It was impossible, monsieur," said Dufrenne much crestfallen. "I could
+not leave the chair until the man had finished shaving me."
+
+"Of course not," replied Duvall, uncertain what course to pursue next.
+"The man went in this direction. I noticed him particularly. Perhaps if
+I were to hurry I might overtake him." He started forward. "You stay
+here and watch Seltz. If I do not return, report to me at Monsieur de
+Grissac's." He turned and disappeared in the crowd.
+
+Dufrenne went slowly back to the neighborhood of the shop, and stood in
+the shadow of the doorway, waiting. Presently he observed two of the
+assistants, in street clothes, leave the place and hurry off into the
+darkness. Neither of them was Seltz. The lights in the shop began to go
+out. Another assistant left. Only Seltz and the proprietor now remained
+within. He crept toward the window, and cautiously looked inside.
+Monsieur Perrier stood before one of the mirrors, arranging his bushy
+hair. _There was no one else in the shop._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+Grace Duvall arrived at the house of the American Minister at about
+half-past five, and luckily found him at home. From the maid at the
+hotel she had learned that his name was Phelps, Austin Phelps, and she
+at once recognized it as that of a lawyer prominent in business and
+social circles in New York. That he should know her, at least by name,
+was not at all surprising--her aunt, prior to her marriage to Count
+d'Este, had been much courted on account of both her beauty and her
+wealth. She waited in the handsome drawing-room to which she had been
+conducted, nervously wondering what the nature of her reception would
+be. The card she had given to the servant was one of her own--in fact,
+she remembered with a smile that her marriage to Richard Duvall but a
+few hours before had so filled her mind and heart that she had
+completely forgotten to have any cards prepared setting forth her new
+estate. It was as Grace Ellicott that the Minister would know her,
+however, and her business in Brussels made it desirable that she should
+pose as a single woman. It was not at all difficult, she thought to
+herself, under the circumstances.
+
+Mr. Phelps, the Minister, proved to be a rubicund, rather portly
+gentleman, with white side whiskers and an air of urbane courtesy that
+set her at her ease at once. She told him who she was, hopefully, and
+was delighted to find that he placed her at once.
+
+"Margaret Ellicott's niece," he said with a pleasant smile, offering his
+hand. "My dear girl, I'm delighted to meet you. I knew your aunt well,
+years ago, when you were going about in short dresses. I lost sight of
+her, after she married D'Este, and went to Paris to live. It was only
+the other day that I learned of her death. She was a fine woman. Mrs.
+Phelps and myself were both very fond of her. Won't you take a seat and
+tell me what you are doing in Brussels?"
+
+Grace sat down, and at once plunged into her story. "I have suffered a
+great deal, lately, Mr. Phelps," she began, "from nervousness. I've been
+living in Paris, you know, and many things have happened to upset me.
+You have heard, of course, of the Count d'Este's treatment of me, and of
+his arrest and conviction?"
+
+"Yes." He nodded gravely. "I do not wonder that you feel upset."
+
+"Of late I have suffered a great deal from attacks of sleep walking. I
+get up at night and wander about, without knowing what I am doing. One
+night, I went out on the balcony and nearly walked off into the street."
+She lied bravely, hoping that her story would appear plausible.
+
+"Too bad," Mr. Phelps remarked, evidently somewhat surprised that she
+should confide such matters to him. "You are under treatment, of
+course."
+
+"No--that is, not at present. No one in Paris has been able to do me any
+good. I have heard so much of Dr. Hartmann and his marvelous success
+with all sorts of mental and nervous troubles that I have decided to
+consult him. That is why I came to Brussels."
+
+"I see. Well--he's a splendid man. You couldn't do better. I know him
+very well, and like him immensely. A thorough scientist. Have you seen
+him, yet?"
+
+"No. I--I understood that he does not care to take patients without
+references as to their standing, financial and otherwise."
+
+"My dear girl, you would have no trouble. Of course he is overrun with
+patients--and as his sanatorium is a small one, he is obliged to charge
+large fees and take only the best and wealthiest class. He is an
+investigator, rather than a practitioner, and for that reason is obliged
+to guard his time."
+
+"Then may I ask that you will give me a letter to him?" Grace said,
+hesitatingly.
+
+"Certainly. I'll do it gladly. When do you intend to call on him?"
+
+"I thought of going at once."
+
+"Then I'll do better than give you a letter. I'll call him up by
+telephone and make an appointment for you. Say in half an hour. It will
+take you about twenty minutes to drive to his place. Will that be
+convenient?"
+
+"Perfectly, Mr. Phelps, and thank you very much."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear girl. Only too happy to do it for you. You must come
+and meet Mrs. Phelps, later on, and dine with us. Just at present she is
+out, taking tea with some friends. I want you to know her." He rose and
+started toward the door. "Excuse me for a few moments, while I telephone
+the doctor."
+
+Grace, left alone, could not help regretting the deceit she had been
+obliged to practise upon her aunt's old friend, but there seemed to be
+no help for it. She only hoped that nothing would occur, subsequently,
+to involve the latter in any disagreeable explanations.
+
+Mr. Phelps returned to the drawing-room in a few moments, his face
+weathed in smiles of satisfaction. "You're lucky," he said. "Dr.
+Hartmann tells me that he can accommodate you at once, as he discharged
+one of his patients, cured, only this morning. If you propose to remain
+at his house for treatment, which would be the only satisfactory way, I
+would suggest that you drive around by way of your hotel and arrange to
+have your baggage sent at once. I have written the address, and a few
+words to the doctor, on this card. Any of the cab drivers will know it,
+of course. Dr. Hartmann is one of the most prominent men in Brussels. I
+wish you good luck in your stay at his place, and whenever you are in
+the city, come in and have luncheon. Mrs. Phelps will be delighted." He
+led the way to the door, and ushered the girl into her cab. "Glad I was
+able to be of service to you," he said, as she drove off.
+"Good-evening."
+
+When Grace entered the office of Dr. Hartmann, she was quite conscious
+of the fact that it would not be necessary for her to pretend to be
+nervous. In fact she felt herself turning hot and cold with fear, and
+wondered whether she would have the courage to play the part which had
+been so unexpectedly thrust upon her.
+
+The place itself was pleasant and attractive enough in appearance. It
+consisted of a large stone building, with a mansard roof, set back some
+hundred or more yards from the street, and surrounded by a small park,
+filled with trees and shrubbery. A well-kept gravel driveway led from
+the gate to the main entrance, which opened into a large hall. She
+observed as she came in, a sort of parlor, or reception-room, to the
+right, handsomely furnished in rather an old-fashioned style, with a
+large marble mantel and fireplace at one end of it. In the latter a
+blaze of cannel coal lit up the room with a pleasant radiance. It was
+not yet dark without, and the lights in the reception room were unlit,
+although a lamp was burning in the hall.
+
+The maid who admitted her, a pleasant-faced German woman of middle age,
+conducted her into the reception-room, and taking her card, disappeared
+down the hall. In a few moments she returned, and nodding to Grace,
+opened a door at the left of the hall and bade her enter.
+
+She found herself in the doctor's office, a large room, furnished in
+leather. A table in the center contained a lamp, and many magazines and
+papers. There was no one in the room when she entered, but before she
+had time to select a chair, a door at the rear of the room opened, and
+Dr. Hartmann came in.
+
+He was a man of powerful build, and gave one the impression of great
+size, although not in reality above medium height. His shoulders,
+however, were very broad and thick, his neck short and powerful, his
+head large, with heavy iron-gray hair. A short beard of the same color
+covered the lower part of his face, while through a pair of gold-rimmed
+spectacles his eyes shone with piercing brightness. Grace thought, as he
+came toward her, that she had seldom seen a more striking-looking man.
+
+"Be seated, miss," he said, addressing her in English, though with a
+decided accent. "You are Miss Grace Ellicott, I believe." He glanced at
+the card which he held in his hand.
+
+"Yes," said Grace, nervously taking a seat.
+
+"Mr. Phelps tells me you suffer from somnambulism," the doctor went on.
+"How long have you observed the symptoms?"
+
+"About six months," answered Grace, steadily.
+
+"Are the occurrences frequent?"
+
+"Yes. Almost every night."
+
+"Had you experienced any great shock, about the time these
+manifestations began?"
+
+"Yes. My aunt, whom I loved very dearly, had died."
+
+"Oh! And when you walk in your sleep, do you seem to see her?"
+
+Grace reflected over this question for several moments. Then she
+recollected that persons given to somnambulism never remember their
+experiences. "No. I have no recollection of what occurs."
+
+The doctor's face was lit with a satisfied smile. He came over to Grace,
+drew apart the lids of one of her eyes and gazed into it, looked at her
+hands critically, felt her pulse for a moment, then asked suddenly,
+"Have you ever been placed under the influence of hypnosis?"
+
+She trembled. If this man were to hypnotize her, as she was perfectly
+certain that he could, he might force her to tell him everything, and
+thereby endanger the success of the whole plan. "No," she replied,
+firmly. "I should not care for it."
+
+"It is a method of treatment, miss, which I use a great deal."
+
+"I hope it will not be necessary, doctor, to use it upon me. I have
+always had a horror of being hypnotized. Please do not attempt it."
+
+"Very well, miss," the doctor laughed. "It may not be necessary. Before
+we go further with your case, I shall want to observe it carefully for a
+few days. You understand my terms, of course." The doctor named a large
+sum. "So much each week, and an additional charge for my services,
+depending upon the nature of the case."
+
+Grace nodded, although the amount was sufficiently large to stagger her.
+"I shall gladly pay what you ask," she said, "if you can only cure me."
+She rose as the doctor stepped to the side of the room and pressed an
+electric button.
+
+"You can go to your room at once, Miss Ellicott," the doctor went on.
+"One of the maids will conduct you. Your meals will be served there, or
+you can eat in the large dining-room, as you prefer. There are only
+twenty other patients. Some of them you might find very agreeable. Make
+yourself thoroughly at home. There are many excellent books in the
+library, and you will perhaps wish to walk in the grounds, or visit your
+friends in the city. The nature of your case is such that no particular
+regimen, no rules of health are necessary. Remember, however, that we
+close the gates of the park at sundown. I will see you again, this
+evening, and bring you some medicine. It is merely a sedative, to quiet
+your nerves. It is not possible to do much for complaints such as yours,
+by means of drugs." He turned, as a quiet, pleasant-faced woman opened
+the door. "Anna," he said to her in German, "conduct Miss Ellicott to
+her room, and make her comfortable."
+
+Not wishing to endure the ordeal of dining with strangers, Grace decided
+to have her dinner served in her room. She found it excellent, and very
+well cooked. After dinner she sat in an easy chair by the large electric
+lamp and read a book she had brought with her.
+
+At ten o'clock Dr. Hartmann came in, and asked her a few more questions,
+gave the nurse a small bottle containing a dark brown liquid and
+instructed her as to administering it, then said good-night and went
+out. Grace threw down her book, and announced that she was ready to
+retire. The maid assisted her to undress, gave her a few drops of the
+medicine in a small glass of sherry, put out the light, and departed,
+informing Grace that she would be in the hall, within call, if the
+latter wished anything.
+
+In spite of the medicine which she had taken, Grace was far too nervous
+and excited to fall asleep. She realized the daring nature of the game
+she had been called upon to play, and for a moment her spirits sank and
+she felt a sense of fear. Thoughts of Richard, however, soon restored
+her courage. She would face any danger to serve him. How different from
+what she had imagined, was this, her first night of married life!
+Instead of lying in Richard's arms, on board the steamer bound for
+America, here she was, a patient in a sanatorium in Brussels. The thing
+seemed unreal--impossible.
+
+After a while, the noises of the house ceased one by one. As midnight
+struck, all was dark and silent. Only the faint sound of the wind among
+the trees in the park came to her ears. She wondered whether it was
+necessary for her to pretend to walk in her sleep this night--in order
+that the doctor might feel that her case was a real one. She rose
+softly, undecided, and going to the window, looked out.
+
+The room in which she then was, occupied a position at the rear of the
+building, and in one of its two wings. From the center of the main
+building she observed a covered passageway, or bridge, extending out for
+perhaps a hundred feet and terminating in a sort of square tower. In one
+of the rooms in the tower, on a level with herself, she saw lights, and
+the figure of a man moving about.
+
+The place attracted her attention. She wondered what its use could be.
+Then an inspiration struck her. The covered bridge ran from the main
+hall not thirty feet from her own door. She determined to cross it,
+pretending to be walking in her sleep, and find out what she could
+regarding the brick tower. When the time came, she knew that all the
+information she could possess about the house and its occupants would be
+necessary to the success of her plans.
+
+She threw about her a dressing-gown, and quietly opened her door. The
+maid was nowhere to be seen, but doubtless she would shortly return. The
+chair upon which she had been sitting, at the point where the side and
+main halls met, stood directly beneath the electric light. No doubt,
+Grace thought, she had been called away for a few moments by one of the
+other patients on the floor.
+
+Now was her chance. She stepped noiselessly down the cross hall, her
+eyes wide open and hands clenched at her sides. At the junction of the
+two halls she turned to the right, toward a door which, she judged, gave
+entrance to the covered way. She found this unlocked, opened it, entered
+the passageway and closed the door behind her. Then she began to walk
+slowly along the bridge.
+
+It was a narrow structure, not exceeding five feet in width, with top
+and sides of corrugated metal, and a floor of wooden planks. At the far
+end of it she perceived a glass door, behind which shone a brilliant
+light.
+
+She approached the door cautiously, keeping up all the while the
+pretense of walking in her sleep. This was not easy--she did not know
+just how persons who were somnambulists acted, but she had read
+descriptions of such cases, and had once seen a play in which one of the
+characters was a sleep walker. She tried to give her eyes a vacant,
+unseeing expression, and fearlessly approached the door.
+
+It stood slightly ajar, and through the glass panels she saw at once
+that the room was Dr. Hartmann's laboratory. She arrived at this
+conclusion from the various medical appliances which stood about the
+room, the uses of which she did not know. Her inspection of the room,
+however, was but momentary, for two figures, brightly illuminated by an
+overhanging cluster of electric lights, at once attracted her attention.
+One of these was Dr. Hartmann. He sat at a large, flat-topped desk, his
+profile toward the door, examining with great care a mass of papers
+which lay on the desk before him. His forehead was wrinkled with
+thought, and an expression of anger dominated his face.
+
+At the other side of the desk sat a tall spare man, with a
+military-looking carriage, and a fierce blond mustache, which he was
+gnawing uneasily. The two figures sat silent for several moments, no
+word passing between them, while Grace watched intently. Presently she
+heard the doctor speak. "It took you two years, it seems, to find out
+that Monsieur de Grissac uses snuff."
+
+The other nodded. "One year and ten months, to be exact."
+
+"And now," the doctor went on, angrily, "you trust everything to a
+stranger."
+
+"It is better so, is it not? The affair is dangerous. Neither you, nor
+I, can afford to be mixed up in it."
+
+Doctor Hartmann brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang. "_Gott
+in Himmel!_" he roared. "We must take some risks, my friend. I tell you
+I must have De Grissac's snuff box without further delay. If that does
+not solve the problem, we are at the end of our rope."
+
+"It will solve it," the other man replied imperturbably. "I have
+positive assurances to that effect. Furthermore, I have every reason to
+believe that we shall hear from London before the end of the week."
+
+"Have you received any word?" the doctor inquired eagerly.
+
+"Yes. The attempt was to be made either to-day or to-morrow. Our man
+will report to you at once. He knows nothing of the matter, of course.
+He will deliver the box to you, and receive the money."
+
+"Who is the fellow?"
+
+"I do not know his name. I have not seen him, myself. Gratz arranged
+everything in London. I considered it very important that nothing should
+occur which would connect us with the matter in any way. Monsieur de
+Grissac will discover his loss very quickly and will use every effort to
+prevent the box from falling into our hands. Gratz and the others would
+invite suspicion at once. The fellow they have chosen to handle the
+matter is unknown to the French police. He will attract no attention.
+The plan appears to be perfect."
+
+The doctor nodded slowly, chewing on his cigar. "I hope you are right,
+Mayer," he said, and looked at his watch.
+
+As he finished speaking, Grace heard someone approaching her from
+behind, but she paid no attention. In a moment the attendant touched her
+lightly on the arm. She turned, gazing at the woman with staring,
+unseeing eyes. The latter looked at her keenly, then began to lead her
+along the bridge toward the main building.
+
+When they reached her bedroom, the nurse turned on the lights suddenly,
+glancing at Grace's face as she did so. The girl did not dare even to
+blink her eyes. "Sit down," the woman commanded, sharply. Grace sank
+upon the edge of the bed. "Take off your shoes," the nurse went on, in a
+stern voice. The girl had slipped on a pair of bedroom slippers--she
+proceeded to remove them mechanically, fumbling with them as though
+trying to unfasten the laces of a pair of shoes. "Now your dress," the
+nurse ordered. Grace began awkwardly to remove the dressing-gown she had
+thrown about her. When the woman told her sharply to get into bed, she
+did so without a word, apparently quite unconscious of what she was
+doing. It was a splendid piece of acting, and she did it so well that if
+the nurse had any doubts as to the reality of her somnambulistic
+condition they were at once dispelled. As soon as the girl placed her
+head upon the pillows, she pretended to be sound asleep, her eyes
+closed, her breathing regular and slow. After a time, the attendant put
+out the light and left the room.
+
+The girl lay still for hours, wondering what there was in the strange
+conversation she had overheard that could help Richard in his efforts to
+recover the stolen snuff box. That it had been stolen she knew; that it
+had not yet been delivered to Dr. Hartmann she also knew. Perhaps
+Richard might have succeeded in recovering it before now; if not, the
+messenger bringing it to the doctor's office would undoubtedly arrive
+the next day. She determined to rise early, in order that she might, if
+possible, send word of what she had heard to Brussels by means of the
+young man who drove the delivery wagon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+When Richard Duvall left Dufrenne, the curio dealer, in Piccadilly
+Circus, and started after the man who had purchased the box of powder in
+the barber shop, he realized to the full the hopelessness of his task.
+The man had left the shop at least two minutes before Dufrenne came
+out--perhaps more, and another minute had been consumed by the latter in
+telling his story. Three minutes' start, in a crowded street at night,
+was a handicap which the detective could scarcely hope to overcome.
+
+He hurried along in the general direction the fellow had taken, trying
+to form in his mind a clear picture of his appearance. In the dim light
+before the shop he had not been able to observe him closely, nor had
+there, indeed, appeared any very good reason for doing so; he had
+thought the man but a belated customer of the place and had barely
+glanced at him.
+
+His experience in summing up at a glance the general characteristics of
+those he met, however, stood him in good stead--he remembered that the
+man had worn a long brown overcoat, a derby hat, and carried in his hand
+a small satchel. The latter, which Dufrenne had failed to mention,
+indicated a traveler--the man's words to Seltz, on purchasing the box of
+powder, seemed to confirm it. The man had walked, apparently, instead of
+taking a cab. Charing Cross station was but a short distance away. What
+more natural, Duvall reasoned, than that the man he was following, was
+on his way to take a train?
+
+Following this line of reasoning, the detective walked hastily in the
+direction of Charing Cross, dodging in and out among the passers-by, and
+eying keenly everyone he met, in the hope that he might discover the man
+with the satchel. He was, however, doomed to disappointment. After
+spending over fifteen minutes in Charing Cross station, watching the
+crowds at the booking offices, the telegraph and telephone booths and
+the restaurant, he concluded that he had been mistaken in his course of
+reasoning and reluctantly turned his steps once more toward the shop of
+M. Perrier. There was, of course, still the chance that his deductions
+had been wrong. Seltz might still have the snuff box in his possession,
+and the man with the satchel be merely a harmless individual who used
+rice powder after shaving. He almost reproached himself for having
+wasted so much time, and hurried along through Piccadilly Circus, in a
+state of considerable perplexity.
+
+As he came up to the shop, he saw Dufrenne standing before the window,
+his eyes glued to the pane. Something in his astonished expression
+attracted the detective's attention at once. He tapped the curio dealer
+lightly on the shoulder.
+
+Dufrenne turned suddenly, much startled, then recognizing Duvall, drew
+him to one side. "I have watched the door every minute since you left,"
+he said in a trembling voice. "Seltz did not come out--yet he is not
+inside. No one is there but Monsieur Perrier."
+
+Duvall started back with a muttered exclamation. "You--you must be
+mistaken," he cried.
+
+"Look!" The Frenchman pointed to the window. Duvall glanced within. The
+proprietor of the place was its only occupant.
+
+The detective turned to his companion and nodded. "Come inside," he
+said, shortly, and striding up to the door, threw it open and entered
+the place.
+
+Monsieur Perrier, startled half out of his wits by the suddenness with
+which Duvall entered the room, dropped the comb with which he had been
+arranging his hair and turned with an alarmed face. "The shop--it is
+closed for the night," he said. "My men have all gone home."
+
+"Has Seltz gone?" asked Duvall, sharply.
+
+"Seltz? Surely. He left immediately after shaving this gentleman."
+Perrier indicated Dufrenne with a fat and trembling forefinger. "Is
+anything wrong, gentlemen? Was the shave not satisfactory?"
+
+Duvall looked at the curio dealer with a smile of chagrin. "It's
+perfectly clear, Dufrenne," he said, somewhat crestfallen. "Our man went
+out as we were walking up the street--while you were telling me what
+happened in the shop."
+
+The little old man nodded. Monsieur Perrier continued to gaze at his
+visitors. "What is it you wish, gentlemen?" he presently inquired.
+
+"Where does Seltz live?" Duvall demanded, sharply.
+
+"Alas--I do not know. He has worked for me but three months. I knew
+nothing of him--nothing at all. He--he asked for leave of absence
+yesterday--he was to be gone a week, but to-night he told me that he
+would not go."
+
+Duvall's eyes lit up. He turned to Dufrenne. "After what
+happened--to-night," he said, significantly, "he feared to
+leave--thinking that his going away would be an admission of his guilt."
+
+Again Dufrenne nodded. Monsieur Perrier looked at them with bulging
+eyes. "Guilt!" he exclaimed. "Has this fellow Seltz been doing anything
+he should not?"
+
+"Possibly," Duvall ejaculated, dryly. "Do you happen to know where he
+was going?"
+
+"He--he said something about visiting his parents. Oh--gentlemen--I beg
+of you, do not cause any scandal--it would ruin my trade. I shall
+discharge the fellow at once."
+
+"You will do nothing of the sort," exclaimed Duvall, angrily. "If he
+reports for duty to-morrow, say nothing to him of our visit, or it will
+be worse for you." He leaned toward the terrified barber. "I am a
+detective," he said, shortly. "Be careful what you do."
+
+Monsieur Perrier sank upon his knees, his hands lifted in supplication.
+"_Mon Dieu_--what shall I do--my business--it will be desolated--what
+shall I do?"
+
+"Get up, and hold your tongue first of all. After that, tell me, if you
+can, where it was that Seltz intended to go, to visit his parents?"
+
+"He spoke of Brussels--he intended to take the night boat from Harwich
+to Antwerp. I heard him discussing his plans with one of the other men."
+
+"Brussels!" Duvall hurriedly glanced at his watch. "There's just time,
+if we hurry--come." He turned to Dufrenne, excitement showing in every
+line of his face. As he hurried toward the door he spoke over his
+shoulder to Monsieur Perrier. "Don't open your mouth to a soul--do you
+hear? If you do, you'll get yourself into a peck of trouble." The last
+thing they heard as they left the shop was the barber's howls of assent.
+
+At the corner Duvall signaled a passing cab. "Liverpool Street station,
+in a hurry," he cried. "Half a crown extra, if you make the boat train
+for Harwich."
+
+Dufrenne gazed at his companion in bewilderment. "I do not understand,
+Monsieur Duvall," he began, but the detective cut him short. "The thing
+is as plain as a pipe stem," he said. "Seltz expected to get the snuff
+box from the Ambassador's man this afternoon, and had made his
+arrangements to leave with it for Brussels at once. The events of the
+evening--culminating in Noël's murder, made him fear to do so. He
+realized that the note, delivered to him by one of the Ambassador's
+servants, might attract suspicion toward him, and therefore wisely made
+up his mind to remain quietly where he was, sending the box by some
+friend. He dared not hand the box to him at any place outside the shop,
+for fear he might be watched. No doubt he arranged with his friend to
+come to the place just before closing, and to pretend to buy the face
+powder, as you saw him do. Seltz had only to turn the powder out of the
+package, put the snuff box inside, and the thing was done. This he no
+doubt did at some opportune moment during the evening, when he was
+certain he was not observed. It is a mighty clever scheme--I'll admit.
+You saw nothing suspicious about the transaction, and I confess that I
+did not realize its significance at the time. Naturally the man to whom
+he gave the box will make for Brussels at once, since it was to that
+point that Seltz intended going. No doubt he was operating in the
+interests of someone else--some third person to whom the box is of great
+value, and who has agreed to pay a large sum for it on delivery. You saw
+the fellow who bought the powder hand Seltz money--how much you could
+not tell. It may be that Seltz was obliged to divide the reward with his
+friend, and that the latter has already turned over to Seltz his share
+in advance. Of that we cannot be certain, nor is it material. Seltz is
+undoubtedly guilty of the murder of the man Noël, but to stay here and
+arrest him now would only defeat the object we have in view. After the
+box has been recovered, we can return and deal with Seltz. You may be
+quite sure he will not dare to run away, for fear that by so doing he
+would admit his guilt."
+
+Dufrenne looked at the detective in admiration. "You reason well,
+monsieur," he remarked. "But why should they be taking the box to
+Brussels?"
+
+"That I cannot tell you, of course, except that, as I said before, the
+plot to steal it inevitably originated there. We shall learn more
+to-morrow, after we have arrived in the city. The next thing to be done
+is to find our man."
+
+They arrived at Liverpool Street station just in time to swing aboard
+the train for Harwich as it was pulling out. There were not many
+passengers--they found themselves in a smoking-compartment quite to
+themselves.
+
+"There is no use in attempting to do anything until we reach Harwich,"
+the detective remarked, pulling his hat over his eyes. He leaned back
+and began to speculate disgustedly upon the events of the day. Married
+at noon--torn from his wife within an hour--in London at night--a
+murder--and now a wild chase to Brussels after a snuff box. It seemed
+almost ludicrous. He smiled grimly. He had not expected to spend in
+quite this way the first twelve hours of his honeymoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+On the morning of her first day at Dr. Hartmann's sanatorium, Grace
+Duvall rose early, and dressed herself for a walk. She was determined,
+if possible, to communicate the results of her adventure the night
+before to the French police in Brussels, and realizing that to do so by
+the only means in her power, namely, the young man who drove the
+delivery wagon, might involve considerable risk of discovery, she
+dressed herself as simply as possible, in a dark-gray suit and white
+shirtwaist.
+
+She had her breakfast in her room, and then told the nurse that she
+intended to take a walk in the grounds. During breakfast she complained
+of the bread which was served her--and informed the maid that in her
+country people ate hot bread at breakfast. The woman seemed surprised.
+"Hot bread!" she exclaimed. "_Mon Dieu!_ Who ever heard of such a
+thing."
+
+"If you bake your bread here in the house," Grace went on, "you could
+easily serve hot bread or rolls to me."
+
+"Impossible, mademoiselle. All our bread comes from a bakery in the
+city. A young man brings it each morning at ten o'clock."
+
+Grace laughed inwardly. This was just the information for which she was
+seeking. It was then a little after nine. She felt tired and worn from
+her almost sleepless night, and her appearance showed it. When she told
+the nurse that she intended to take a stroll, and get some air, the
+latter nodded. "Dr. Hartmann has recommended it," she said. "He is a
+great believer in the value of fresh air." The woman made no reference
+to the events of the night before, nor did Grace. She knew that sleep
+walkers were not supposed to remember anything that occurred during
+their attacks of somnambulism.
+
+On the way out she met Dr. Hartmann, returning from his after-breakfast
+constitutional. He was just entering his office. "Good morning, Miss
+Ellicott," he said, pleasantly. "May I ask you to step inside a moment?
+There are a few questions I should like to ask you."
+
+She obeyed, much against her will. It was nearly half-past nine, she
+knew, and she must not miss the delivery man, if she was to send her
+message to Brussels. She heard the doctor saying that he would detain
+her but a few moments.
+
+His first question sent the color to her cheeks, and she hesitated
+before answering it, realizing that it was a trap. "Do you feel any the
+worse, miss, from the experiences of last night?" he inquired.
+
+For a moment she was about to say "no," but caught herself in time.
+"What experiences?" she asked, innocently enough. "Did I have an
+attack?"
+
+She fancied that the doctor appeared relieved. He smiled as he replied.
+"You wandered about a little. The nurse must have been negligent. I have
+reprimanded her. You might readily have a serious accident, if left to
+yourself."
+
+Grace looked at him with a smile which scarcely concealed her agitation.
+"I hope I caused no trouble," she said. "It is a frightful affliction. I
+trust you will be able to do something for me."
+
+"Don't worry, my dear young lady. We shall cure you beyond a doubt. I
+think, however, that it will be necessary to employ hypnosis. All cases
+such as yours respond most readily to hypnotic suggestion. However, I
+shall observe your case for a while longer, before making a decision.
+You are going out for a walk, I see."
+
+"Yes. I love the air." She rose with a secret fear of the man in her
+heart. If he should hypnotize her, what was there to prevent his
+learning everything. She determined to avoid this method of treatment at
+all costs, yet could not see how to do so without arousing his
+suspicions. "Good-morning," she said, hastily, as she left the room.
+
+The walk to the entrance gate in the fresh autumn air served to revive
+her spirits wonderfully. Her original intention had been to stroll down
+the avenue which fronted the house, in the hope of meeting the delivery
+wagon on the way. In a moment the futility of this plan became apparent.
+She did not know from which direction the wagon would appear, nor would
+she be able to recognize it, even should she be lucky enough to meet it.
+She paused at the gate, uncertain, then began to walk along a path which
+led among the trees and shrubbery, with one eye all the while upon the
+gateway at the entrance. Once or twice vehicles passing along the road
+outside startled her into sudden action; she went toward the gate only
+to find that they had passed on. The tenseness of the situation began to
+get on her nerves; in her fear she was certain that she was being
+watched from the house, or by the gardener in the distance who was
+engaged in taking the leaves from the graveled walks. She had almost
+given up in despair when she heard the rumble of an approaching cart,
+and saw a smart little wagon driven by a young man in a blue jacket with
+large brass buttons, enter the gate.
+
+She went quickly toward the roadway, pretending an interest in the
+horse. The young man saw her approaching, and looked at her shrewdly.
+She gave a slight nod, and continued to approach him. All of a sudden he
+threw down the reins, gave an exclamation, and jumping from the wagon,
+began to inspect the horse's feet with great deliberateness and care.
+
+Grace went up to the horse, and began patting its nose. "Poor fellow,"
+she said, consolingly, in English, looking all the while at the young
+man's face.
+
+"Are you Miss Ellicott?" he said suddenly in rather halting English,
+without turning his head.
+
+"Yes." Her reply was quick, eager. "Dr. Hartmann is expecting a
+messenger from London with the stolen snuff box to-day or to-morrow. I
+heard them talking about it, last night. The messenger is a stranger to
+him. He does not suspect that I am watching him."
+
+The boy nodded gravely. "You are instructed to remain near the front of
+the house, or in the reception-room inside, as much as possible, during
+the day. The man from London is expected this morning. He may be here at
+any moment. Keep your eyes open." He began to whistle merrily, pretended
+to remove a stone from one of the horse's shoes, sprang back into the
+wagon and drove off to the house, without paying any further attention
+to her.
+
+Grace walked slowly up the driveway, and finding a bench near a bed of
+geraniums, sat down and pretended to read a book which she had brought
+with her. After a time, the delivery wagon returned, but the boy did not
+even glance at her as he passed out. She noticed, however, that he was
+driving rapidly and appeared to be in a great hurry.
+
+She sat on the bench for over an hour, wondering what would be the next
+development in this mysterious affair. She could not shake off the idea
+that she would soon see Richard, in spite of the fact that she had no
+definite reasons upon which to base her hopes. One thing, however,
+seemed certain. If the man with the stolen snuff box had arrived in
+Brussels, it clearly meant that Richard had failed to capture him in
+London, and it seemed not unreasonable to suppose that he would be
+following him.
+
+She thought about the matter so much that it interfered with her
+attempts to read the book. After a while she closed it, and sat watching
+the distant gardener as he ceaselessly raked the gravel paths.
+Everything seemed so quiet, so full of peace--everything, in fact, but
+her own thoughts. Somehow it seemed impossible to believe that
+underneath all the beauty of this clear autumn day lay plotting, and
+tragedy, and even death.
+
+It was close to noon, when she ceased her musings, and rising, went
+toward the house. Sitting so long in the open air had made her a bit
+chilly. She determined to seek the grateful warmth of the
+reception-room. As she mounted the steps of the house she heard sounds
+of a cab being driven rapidly along the main street, and a sudden
+intuition warned her that something of an unusual nature was about to
+happen. She glanced back, as the servant opened the door in response to
+her ring, and was not surprised to see that the vehicle had entered the
+grounds, and was rapidly approaching the house.
+
+Her hasty glance showed her that it contained but a single occupant, a
+man, and in spite of the distance, she fancied that she detected
+something familiar about the poise of his head and shoulders. The
+thought was but momentary--she stepped at once into the reception-room
+at the right, sat down by the fire, and opening her book, pretended to
+be deeply absorbed in its contents. In reality she was observing
+narrowly the maid in the hallway, who stood at the open door, waiting to
+admit the man who was driving up in the cab.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+When Richard Duvall and Dufrenne arrived at Harwich, on their way from
+London, the former requested his companion to turn up his coat collar,
+pull his soft hat over his eyes, and put on his spectacles. He feared
+that the man they were trying to locate might recognize the curio dealer
+as the person who had occupied the chair next to him in Monsieur
+Perrier's barber shop earlier in the evening. He also requested the
+Frenchman to make his way to the boat alone, keeping a sharp lookout for
+the man in the brown overcoat.
+
+Duvall himself joined the straggling crowd of sleepy passengers as they
+went aboard the steamer for Antwerp, his eyes searching every passenger
+about him for some sight of the one he sought. Once he thought he
+recognized the man, a long way off, going up the steamer's gang plank,
+but he could not be sure, in the flickering light, that he was right.
+
+He went aboard the boat, in some doubt as to whether, after all, his
+course of reasoning might not be incorrect. Here he was bound for the
+Continent, on the heels of a man whom he had no real proof was not at
+this moment sleeping peacefully in his bed in London.
+
+The situation was a trying one. He lit a cigar and began to pace the
+deck nervously, inspecting the few passengers who had elected to remain
+outside, before directing his steps to the saloon below.
+
+After some five minutes spent in a useless search, he observed a
+familiar figure approaching him from the direction of the companionway,
+and at once saw that it was Dufrenne. The latter passed him without any
+sign of recognition, but just as their elbows were almost touching, said
+in a low voice, "He is below, in the saloon, monsieur. Has not taken a
+stateroom."
+
+Duvall continued his walk about the decks for a few moments longer, then
+threw away his cigar, and descended to the saloon. A number of
+passengers were dozing on the sofas, or in chairs, and at a table
+several were playing cards. He paused for a moment to watch the game,
+his eyes searching the room for the man in the brown overcoat. After a
+time he located him, sprawled in an easy chair, his eyes closed, his
+satchel tossed carelessly upon the floor beside him.
+
+The detective began to stroll about the place, as though in deep
+thought. His eyes were fixed, however, upon the face of the man in the
+chair. It was a determined face, as the thin lips and close-set eyes
+showed, but Duvall noted with satisfaction signs of weakness about the
+half-open mouth. The man was undoubtedly sleeping soundly.
+
+Duvall was at a loss to know just what to do. He was convinced that the
+ivory snuff box, upon the recovery of which Monsieur Lefevre had assured
+him the honor of France itself depended, was within ten feet of him, yet
+he could do nothing, apparently, at the moment, to regain it. To arrest
+the man, except on French soil, was out of the question. Even could he
+do so, the package which the latter had so carelessly slipped into his
+overcoat pocket in Monsieur Perrier's shop might contain, after all, but
+a harmless box of rice powder, and he would be hard put to explain
+satisfactorily his action. On the other hand, the presence of the snuff
+box on the man's person, supposing this to be beyond question, was not
+in itself sufficient to warrant placing him under arrest. He might claim
+it as his own property. There was nothing to show that it had been
+stolen. Clearly the only thing to do was to attempt to get the box from
+him by stealth.
+
+After a long time spent in debating the matter pro and con., Duvall
+threw himself into a chair close to the one which the man he was
+watching occupied, and pretended to sleep. Of Dufrenne he saw nothing.
+After perhaps an hour, the card game ceased, the players retired to
+their staterooms, or to near-by sofas, and a steward began to lower the
+lights. Presently not a sound was to be heard throughout the saloon,
+except the chorus of snores from the sleeping passengers, and the
+creaking of the vessel as she plunged into the heavy Channel swell.
+
+The detective slowly advanced his foot, and with infinite patience,
+began to draw toward him the small leather satchel which lay beside the
+man's chair. He did this so slowly and imperceptibly that the operation
+occupied the best part of a quarter of an hour. At last the bag was
+safely pushed beneath the folds of his overcoat, which he had removed on
+sitting down, and now lay thrown carelessly over his knees.
+
+He bent over, noiselessly, his hand beneath the folds of the coat, and
+began to fumble with the catch of the satchel. In a few moments he
+managed to open it, and with nervous fingers examined the contents of
+the bag. Guided by the sense of touch only, he was able to identify
+successively a razor case, a shaving brush, a cotton nightshirt and a
+number of other articles of an ordinary and usual nature. He had almost
+given up the search, when his fingers closed about a small round object,
+done up in paper. His heart gave a leap of joy. He could feel the coarse
+string with which the package was bound and could tell from its
+lightness that it contained probably what he sought. In a moment he had
+drawn it noiselessly from the satchel and transferred it to the pocket
+of his coat.
+
+The process of closing the bag and returning it to its former position
+was accomplished without waking the sleeping occupant of the near-by
+chair. Duvall was conscious of a feeling of exultation. He yawned,
+stretched himself, glanced with great deliberation at his watch, then
+rose and quietly left the room.
+
+The decks seemed deserted. After some trouble he managed, however, to
+locate Dufrenne, standing beside the rail in the shadow of one of the
+lifeboats. He went up to him and saw that his teeth were chattering with
+the cold. Duvall could not repress a feeling of admiration for the
+little old Frenchman, who, rather than risk for a moment his
+identification by the man they were following, had elected to spend the
+night wandering about the decks. His patriotism was proof against even
+the cold.
+
+Duvall touched him gently on the arm. "I have secured it," he remarked,
+quietly.
+
+Dufrenne turned. "The snuff box?" he whispered excitedly.
+
+The detective nodded, and cautiously drew the circular package from his
+pocket. "It was in his satchel," he remarked, as he began to remove the
+string.
+
+Dufrenne's lips moved. He seemed to be offering up a silent prayer of
+thanks. He was scarcely able to contain his impatience as the detective
+slowly unwrapped the parcel, disclosing a small blue pasteboard box, on
+the cover of which, in black, appeared the words, "Poudre Perrier." In a
+moment Duvall had removed the lid, and plunged his finger into the box.
+As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of utter astonishment and
+disgust. The box contained nothing but rice powder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+It would be difficult to describe the feelings of annoyance and chagrin
+which swept over Richard Duvall as he tossed the box of Monsieur
+Perrier's rice powder over the side of the vessel and watched it float
+for a moment on the crest of a wave before being swept into the
+darkness. He glanced for an instant at his companion, then turned away
+as he saw the latter's stare of astonishment and dismay. He wanted to be
+alone, to think out this matter for himself.
+
+With a confusion of ideas racing through his brain he began to pace the
+deck, trying to discover wherein his reasoning had been at fault. He
+went back to the gruesome scene at the house of the Ambassador--the
+murdered valet, with the grim seal of silence upon his lips. Whoever had
+committed this murder had made away with the snuff box, of that he felt
+certain. Upon what, then, did his suspicions of Seltz rest? The evidence
+was slender--merely that the latter had had an appointment to meet the
+murdered man that afternoon, and that a person answering Seltz's
+description had inquired for the latter at the servants' entrance at
+Monsieur de Grissac's that evening. Not very convincing, surely, yet
+taken with Seltz's evident intention to leave London for Brussels that
+night, certainly significant. Following then his original hypothesis,
+that Seltz was the guilty man, and had the box in his possession, two
+solutions of the matter only seemed possible. The first was, the man in
+the saloon below, anticipating perhaps some attempt to search his
+baggage, had deliberately provided himself, through Seltz, with a second
+package, containing a box of rice powder only, which he had placed in
+his satchel, in the belief that, if found, its innocent contents would
+divert from him further suspicion. The careless way in which he had
+thrown his satchel on the floor beside him, favored this theory. It
+seemed, on sober thought, extremely unlikely that the bearer of so
+valuable a piece of property would be so thoughtless as to place it
+loosely in an unlocked handbag. Even now the real package might be
+reposing safely in some secure inner pocket.
+
+The other solution was equally probable. The purchase of the face powder
+might have been quite innocent and _bona fide_. The man below might know
+nothing whatever about the snuff box, and Seltz might even now be on his
+way to Brussels to dispose of it, in accordance with his original
+intentions. If so, however, why had he informed Monsieur Perrier that he
+had changed his mind, and would not take the vacation he had requested?
+Was this merely a blind, to avert suspicion, in case the unexpected
+murder of the man Noël resulted in inquiries being made of Monsieur
+Perrier? Of course, when Seltz had spoken of his intention to go to
+Brussels, no thought of murder was in his mind--he had no vital object
+in hiding his movements--not having any reason to suppose that suspicion
+could possibly be attracted to him. After the sending of the note to him
+by Noël, he must have realized the danger of his position, and told
+Monsieur Perrier that his plans had changed, while in reality fully
+intending to carry them out as he had originally intended.
+
+There was, of course, a possible third solution, namely, that Seltz had
+nothing to do with the murder at all, and was merely an innocent barber,
+quite unaware of all the mystery that was being woven about himself and
+his movements. In that event, as Duvall realized with the deepest
+chagrin, he would be obliged to return to London, and begin his
+investigations all over again. In this event, there could be but one
+starting point--the murder of the valet. Yet his painstaking examination
+of the scene of the murder had shown an utter absence of any clues. Even
+the weapon which had caused the valet's death was his own property--the
+finger print on the seal which closed his lips made with his own
+forefinger. And here the detective began to feel a deep sense of doubt
+as to the accuracy of his conclusions regarding Seltz's guilt. Would a
+man of his type have taken the trouble to place the gruesome seal upon
+the dead man's lips? This seemed, on second thoughts, the act of a
+hardened and unfeeling criminal--a man to whom murder was a scientific
+accomplishment, not a hasty and hideous crime. Was Seltz such a man?
+There was no answer to this question--the fleeting glimpses which Duvall
+had secured of his face, through the barber-shop window, had told him
+little or nothing of the man's character.
+
+One fact, however, presently forced itself upon the detective's mind. If
+Seltz had left the shop for Brussels that night, according to his
+original intention, he must be somewhere on the boat. No night route
+from London to Belgium existed, except that by way of Harwich. He blamed
+himself that in his eagerness to discover the stranger with the satchel
+he had not thought to look for Seltz.
+
+Upon the conclusion of his deliberations, Duvall crossed over to the
+other side of the boat, where he had left Dufrenne. The little old
+Frenchman stood gazing down at the sea, his face blue with cold, and
+filled with a look of bitter disappointment. He did not even glance up,
+as Duvall joined him.
+
+"Come, Monsieur Dufrenne," the detective said, kindly. "Let us go
+below."
+
+The old man accompanied him without a word. As they reached the
+companionway, however, he spoke. "We must return to London at once," he
+said. "This same boat will take us back to Harwich."
+
+"Yes," Duvall agreed, "unless we discover that Seltz is aboard."
+
+"Seltz?" The Frenchman looked up, puzzled, yet with an expression of
+renewed hope in his eyes.
+
+"Yes. We have apparently followed the wrong man. In that case, why not
+search for the right one. If Seltz is on board, we will follow him to
+Brussels. If not, we will return to London. We can make sure, when the
+passengers are discharged at Antwerp."
+
+Dufrenne nodded eagerly. "It may indeed be possible," he remarked, as
+they entered the saloon.
+
+Most of the passengers were on deck when the steamer reached her wharf
+at Antwerp, but in spite of a careful search, Duvall was unable to
+locate Seltz amongst them. He stood by the gang plank, watching the
+crowd as it left the boat, his eyes searching restlessly for the swarthy
+countenance of the barber. He had almost given up hope, when he saw a
+belated passenger hurriedly cross the deck and dart up the gang plank.
+He moved rapidly, his throat muffled in a blue neckcloth, his slouch hat
+pulled down over his eyes, but the glance which Duvall obtained of his
+somewhat scared face told him at once that he had located his man.
+
+He signaled quietly to Dufrenne, who had been standing discreetly in the
+background for fear the barber might recognize him, and the two left the
+boat together, some forty or more yards in Seltz's rear.
+
+They did not make any attempt to follow him closely. There seemed no
+room for doubt that he was bound for the train to Brussels, and Duvall
+and his companion followed along at a leisurely pace, showing nothing of
+the agitation they so keenly felt.
+
+They purposely avoided any attempt to enter the same compartment with
+the barber, being satisfied when they saw him climb aboard the train.
+They did, however, watch the departing passengers at all stops, and when
+they rolled into the station at Brussels, they were certain that their
+man was aboard. Nor were they mistaken. They saw him alight, look
+swiftly about as though fearing that he was being followed, and then
+start at a rapid pace toward the street.
+
+Duvall went after him at once, directing Dufrenne to go to the Hotel
+Metropole and secure a room in his own name, where he was to wait until
+he heard from his companion. These instructions given, the detective
+began to follow Seltz up the street.
+
+The man evidently knew the town well. He made no pauses, and did not
+hesitate at any time during his long walk. It terminated at a small,
+third-class hotel in the older part of the city, where he went in,
+entered the café, and selecting a table in a dim corner, ordered
+breakfast.
+
+Duvall, feeling safe in leaving him, at once sought a telephone and
+proceeded to call up Dufrenne at the Hotel Metropole.
+
+The latter, meanwhile, had turned from the railway station, and was
+proceeding up the street at a leisurely pace, when a young man
+approached him from behind, and touched him lightly on the shoulder.
+"Monsieur Dufrenne?" he inquired, smiling.
+
+The curio dealer glanced at the man who had accosted him, and an
+answering smile lit up his face. "Oh, Lablanche, glad to see you," he
+said. "I did not know you were on this case."
+
+"Monsieur Lefevre sent me from Paris last night. We are expecting news
+at any moment. Monsieur Duvall is with you, I observe."
+
+"Yes. He is following the man from London. He will telephone me, as soon
+as he learns his destination."
+
+The man whom Dufrenne had addressed as Lablanche, looked grave. "This
+affair has, we believe, been engineered by a physician here--Dr.
+Hartmann--you have heard of him, of course."
+
+Dufrenne turned to his companion. "Hartmann--the man of the stolen war
+plans. _Mon Dieu!_ Why did I not think of him before?" He seemed deeply
+chagrined. "Of course--of course--that explains everything."
+
+"Where is Monsieur Duvall to communicate with you?" Dufrenne's companion
+asked. His voice held a note of brisk authority.
+
+"At the Hotel Metropole. I shall take a room there at once."
+
+"Good. I must leave you for a short time. Await news from me at the
+hotel. I shall, I hope, be able to inform you, within half an hour,
+whether our suspicions regarding Dr. Hartmann are correct or not. If
+they are, you will of course advise Monsieur Duvall accordingly. Above
+all things, the delivery of the snuff box to Hartmann must be prevented.
+On that point the Prefect was emphatic." The young man turned into a
+cross street as he concluded and was swallowed up in the crowd.
+
+Dufrenne, after securing his room at the Hotel Metropole, sat down to
+wait. He did not have to wait long. The young man, Lablanche, joined him
+in a short time. "We have just learned," he said, gravely, "that our
+suspicions are entirely correct. Dr. Hartmann is responsible for the
+theft of the snuff box, and is momentarily expecting the man who is to
+deliver it to him."
+
+Dufrenne looked grave. "Duvall should know this without delay," he said.
+
+He had no more than spoken, when the telephone bell in his room rang. He
+hastened to reply and found Duvall at the other end of the wire. "Come
+to the Hotel Universelle," the latter said, laconically. "Hurry. I will
+wait for you."
+
+Dufrenne communicated the message to Lablanche. The latter nodded.
+"Good!" he said. "Give Monsieur Duvall the information you have, and
+above all, impress upon him the necessity of acting immediately. There
+is no time for delay. I will follow at once, with another of our men."
+
+The curio dealer found Duvall pacing anxiously up and down the hotel
+corridor, pretending to be searching a railway time-table. He nodded
+imperceptibly toward the café as Dufrenne entered, then turned and went
+out into the street. The old man followed him--in a few moments they
+were conversing rapidly in the doorway of a near-by shop.
+
+Dufrenne had but a few words to say, but they were sufficient to show
+Duvall the extreme gravity of the situation. He stood for several
+moments, considering the best way by which the delivery of the stolen
+snuff box to Dr. Hartmann might be prevented. Then he signaled a cab
+which he saw approaching. "Seltz is breakfasting--inside," he said
+quickly to Dufrenne. "Don't let him out of your sight. I am going to see
+Dr. Hartmann." He sprang into the cab, gave the doctor's name to the
+cabman, and in a moment was being driven rapidly up the street, leaving
+the little old Frenchman standing blinking with astonishment on the
+sidewalk.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+When Richard Duvall left the Hotel Universelle, en route to the office
+of Dr. Hartmann, he had no definite idea of just what he intended to do
+on reaching there. One thought was uppermost in his mind--he must
+prevent, in some way, and at any cost, the delivery of the snuff box to
+Hartmann, and since to follow Seltz to the latter's office would avail
+him nothing, he decided to precede him there.
+
+During the drive, he began to formulate a plan, daring in its
+conception, extremely dangerous in its execution, yet one which, if
+carried out with courage and determination, promised success. He was
+perfecting in his mind the details of this plan when the carriage turned
+into the driveway at Dr. Hartmann's.
+
+So occupied had he become with his thoughts that he failed to observe
+the figure of Grace, standing behind the maid in the open doorway; she
+disappeared into the reception-room before he had alighted from the cab.
+He went up to the servant, assumed an air of dignified assurance, and
+announced that he wished to see Dr. Hartmann at once.
+
+The maid ushered him in, glanced into the parlor, observed Grace sitting
+there, apparently reading, and then throwing open the door to the left
+which gave admittance to the doctor's office, bade Duvall enter. The
+latter stepped in at once, without looking into the room across the
+hall. Had he done so, he would have observed his wife, whom he fully
+supposed to be quietly waiting for him in Paris, rise from her chair
+with a frightened face and start impulsively toward him.
+
+For a moment Grace was on the point of calling out--she wanted to let
+Richard know that she was there. She wanted to see him--to talk to him,
+to realize the happiness of being once again in his presence. It had
+been, since their parting the day before, her constant thought. Then she
+suddenly realized that Monsieur Lefevre had warned her not to appear to
+recognize her husband, should she meet him in the course of her
+adventures. The thought checked her--she paused at the door of the
+reception-room and glanced down the hall.
+
+The servant who had admitted Duvall had disappeared toward the rear of
+the house. Everything about her seemed quiet. She started across the
+hall, determined to enter the room into which Richard had just vanished,
+when she heard the sound of rapid footsteps approaching her. With a
+start she turned and again entered the parlor, assuming a careless
+manner she by no means felt.
+
+She had scarcely seated herself in the chair by the fire, and opened her
+book, when she saw Dr. Hartmann appear in the hall and enter the door
+which led to the outer office.
+
+Grace was undecided as to what she should do next. Her safest course,
+she ultimately concluded, was to do nothing. She remained quietly in her
+seat, pretending to read her book, but all the while watching, with
+anxious eyes, the door on the other side of the hall.
+
+Richard Duvall, meanwhile, had entered the waiting room, his mind fully
+made up as to the course he was about to pursue. During the few moments
+which intervened, until the doctor's arrival, he looked keenly about the
+room, examining it in detail, fixing its entrances and exits firmly in
+his mind, so as to be prepared for any emergency which might arise.
+
+The room was a large one. Along the side facing the entrance door, as
+well as that which fronted on the park, were big curtained windows, set
+in deep recesses, and between them, cases of books. At the far end of
+the room, toward the rear of the house, was another door. Duvall stole
+over to it, listened carefully, then slowly opened it and looked within.
+The room proved to be the doctor's private office, and he saw at once
+that it was built in a sort of ell, and could not be entered except
+through the room in which he stood. There was a door, it is true, in the
+right-hand wall, which had once given entrance to the hall, but against
+this a heavy instrument case, with glass doors, now stood.
+
+Duvall withdrew his head and shoulders from the doorway, nodding to
+himself in a satisfied way, then noiselessly closed the door and
+returned to the center of the room.
+
+In a moment Dr. Hartmann came in, glancing at him sharply.
+"Good-morning, sir," he remarked, in French. "You wish to see me?"
+
+The detective took a card-case from his pocket and tendered the doctor a
+card. It was one of many which he carried for such emergencies, and bore
+the name of Stephen Brooks.
+
+"Yes," he said, pleasantly. "I came to consult you concerning a curious
+case."
+
+"Indeed!" The doctor looked at the card carelessly. "I see that you are
+an American." He began to speak in English. "Sit down, please."
+
+"Thank you." Duvall took a chair.
+
+"What is the nature of the case, may I ask?"
+
+"Doctor--I've heard so much of your wonderful cures--of your remarkable
+success in treating mental disorders, that I have ventured to come to
+you in the hope that you may be able to help me."
+
+The doctor smiled, not displeased at the other's flattery. "What is the
+cause of your trouble, Mr. Brooks?"
+
+Duvall observed him thoughtfully for a moment. "If a person has
+delusions upon one particular subject, is he on that account necessarily
+insane?"
+
+"Not at all. Manias of various sorts are not uncommon, and generally
+curable. Why do you ask?"
+
+"Because I want you to treat such a case."
+
+The doctor considered his patient narrowly. "Of course, you understand,
+Mr. Brooks, that my professional charges are very high."
+
+Duvall took out his pocketbook and removing from it a note for a hundred
+francs, laid it carelessly on the table. "I have understood so, Doctor,"
+he remarked. "Luckily I am a man of considerable wealth."
+
+"In that event," Hartmann remarked, eying the bill in a gratified way,
+"I am at your service. What is the nature of your complaint?"
+
+"It isn't about myself that I have come," Duvall hastened to inform him.
+"It concerns a man in my employ--my valet, to be exact."
+
+"Your valet?" The doctor frowned, and made as though to rise. "My dear
+sir--"
+
+"One moment, please, Doctor. The man is a most worthy fellow. He has
+been in my service for years. A Belgian, too, I think. I have a very
+high regard for him--an excellent servant, except for the peculiar
+delusions with which he has lately become possessed."
+
+"I fear that I cannot undertake his treatment, Mr. Brooks. I receive
+only a few patients, and those of the highest standing."
+
+"I know that. I did not propose to have the man quartered here in your
+house. I merely want you to examine him, in order that I may find out
+whether his case is curable or not. If it is, I shall take him to Paris
+and place him under treatment--if not, I must, of course, discharge him.
+It is for that reason that I have come to you."
+
+"What are the man's symptoms?" asked the doctor, shortly.
+
+"He imagines, from time to time, that he has been robbed."
+
+"That is by no means uncommon. I have seen many such cases. Are these
+delusions confined to any one subject?"
+
+"No. At times he fancies that money has been taken from him. At other
+times, jewelry that he has never possessed. Once he accused me of
+robbing him of a pair of shoes, and demanded that I pay him a large sum
+of money for them. I have generally succeeded in quieting him by
+assuring him that the stolen articles would be forthcoming later on."
+
+"Excellent. And how long has this condition been in evidence?"
+
+"About a month, now. During the past week, however, the attacks have
+been more frequent. Last night he informed me that someone had taken
+from him a diamond ring--of course he had never owned one--and wanted
+five thousand francs in return. I assured him that I would get him the
+money this morning."
+
+"The case does not seem particularly difficult, Mr. Brooks, from what
+you tell me. Of course I could determine better after a personal
+examination."
+
+"Exactly. And if you find no other conditions of an alarming nature, you
+think a cure possible?"
+
+"Undoubtedly. When can I see the man?"
+
+Duvall took out his watch. "I requested him to meet me here to-day at
+noon," he said. "I did not tell him he was coming for a medical
+examination. He might have refused to come. I let him think that you
+might be able to recover the diamond ring he thinks has been stolen from
+him. I thought it best to humor him. I should have brought him with me,
+but he had arranged to go this morning to see his people, who live in
+the town. He was to come directly here, after leaving them." He went
+over to the window and looked toward the road. "I am surprised that he
+is so late. Usually he is punctuality itself."
+
+The doctor rose. "No doubt he will be here very soon," he remarked. "You
+can wait here, if you like. I will join you on his arrival. Meanwhile,
+as I have some matters to attend to in my office, I beg that you will
+excuse me." He opened the door at the rear of the room, which led to his
+private office. "When the man arrives, kindly let me know."
+
+Duvall glanced toward the door through which Dr. Hartmann had just
+passed, then paused for several moments, listening; then he walked
+noiselessly across the room, and paused before the study door. Within
+all was quiet. Stooping down, he applied his eye to the keyhole. Dr.
+Hartmann sat at a large rosewood desk, busily writing.
+
+With a smile of satisfaction the detective arose, and going to the door
+which led to the hall, drew from the lock the key which stood in it, and
+then, opening the door slightly, inserted the key in the lock on the
+other side of the door. As he did so, he peered out across the hall, and
+for a moment the key almost dropped from his fingers. There, facing him,
+sat Grace, his wife, whom he had supposed to be safely in Paris. The
+sight for a moment completely upset him--he paused, gazing at her with
+an expression of incredulity.
+
+Grace rose, and came toward her husband, her face pale, her lips parted.
+"Richard," she whispered softly, then became suddenly silent as he
+pressed his finger to his lips.
+
+As they stood there thus, facing each other in grave uncertainty, Duvall
+heard the sound of a vehicle being driven up the graveled road. He
+glanced toward the glass entrance door and saw a cab approaching the
+house, in which sat Seltz. He turned to Grace, and spoke in a voice so
+low as to be scarcely audible.
+
+"Open the door at once--before the man can ring. Pretend to be a maid.
+Show him in here immediately. Quick." He withdrew into the waiting-room,
+leaving Grace staring at him in amazement. For a moment she hesitated.
+It seemed so cruel, to be this near to him, and yet to not even be able
+to touch his hand! Then she went quickly to the front door and threw it
+open as Seltz came up the steps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+Richard Duvall, alone in Dr. Hartmann's outer office, had not long to
+wait. He had hardly succeeded in throwing off the agitation which the
+unexpected sight of Grace had caused him, when the door from the hall
+was opened, and Grace admitted Seltz to the room.
+
+The latter glanced at Duvall with a curious look, but said nothing.
+Grace withdrew, closing the door quietly after her. The detective went
+up to the newcomer and addressed him in a low tone.
+
+"You are Oscar Seltz, from London?" he asked, bluntly.
+
+The man appeared greatly taken back. "Yes," he said, haltingly. "I wish
+to see Dr. Hartmann."
+
+"About the snuff box, of course?"
+
+Again the man started. "Who are you?" he asked, suddenly suspicious.
+
+"I am Dr. Hartmann's assistant. He has been waiting for you. You have
+the box with you, of course?"
+
+The man felt carefully in his pocket, and presently drew out a small
+object done up in paper. "Yes, I have it. The price was to be
+twenty-five hundred francs."
+
+"That is correct," remarked the detective. "Give it to me."
+
+Seltz drew back his hand. "I want the money first, and I cannot deliver
+it to any one but Dr. Hartmann."
+
+"Dr. Hartmann is in the next room," said Duvall, with a pleasant smile.
+"He has the money all ready for you. I will call him. But first, let me
+see if you have really secured what we want." He held out his hand.
+"Don't be afraid," he said. "I shall not leave the room. The box will
+not be out of your sight."
+
+Seltz appeared to consider the matter for a brief moment, but the
+detective's manner reassured him. He extended the package toward Duvall.
+"It is there, all right," he laughed, softly. "And a hard time I had
+getting it."
+
+Without making any comment, Duvall took the package, quickly tore off
+the coarse paper wrappings, and saw inside a small round ivory box, its
+top ornamented with a number of small pearls, arranged in a circular
+design about its circumference. He glanced swiftly at it, crushed the
+paper into his pocket, then started toward the door at the rear.
+
+"Where are you going?" demanded Seltz, harshly, his hand going toward
+his pocket, as though for a weapon.
+
+"To call the doctor, my man," Duvall replied. "Don't excite yourself. He
+will be here in a moment, with your money." Without a moment's
+hesitation he crossed to the study door and tapped lightly upon it. As
+he did so, his back was toward Seltz, hence the latter did not see the
+swift movement, by which he conveyed the snuff box to the pocket of his
+waistcoat. When, after a few moments' delay, Dr. Hartmann appeared on
+the threshold, Duvall's hands were both quite empty.
+
+As the doctor entered the room, the detective gave a quick nod toward
+Seltz. "My man," he remarked, in a low tone. "He seems to be rather bad,
+this morning;" then aloud, "Oscar, this is Doctor Hartmann."
+
+Seltz bowed, then stood uncomfortably, shifting his weight from one foot
+to the other as the doctor bent upon him a searching glance. "Sit down,
+my good fellow," the latter presently remarked, as he took a chair.
+
+"I--I don't think I had better, sir," he stammered. "I am in somewhat of
+a hurry--"
+
+The doctor interrupted him, in a soothing voice. "There, there. Sit
+down. I want to talk to you."
+
+Seltz glanced helplessly toward Duvall, apparently somewhat confused by
+the reception which Dr. Hartmann had accorded him. It was not entirely
+what he had expected.
+
+"I have explained everything to the doctor," remarked Duvall hastily.
+"He understands about the money you requested." He looked significantly
+at Dr. Hartmann.
+
+"Then I hope the matter can be settled at once," said Seltz, apparently
+much relieved. He made no movement to sit down, but continued to look
+expectantly at Dr. Hartmann.
+
+The latter nodded in a grave and reassuring way. "Give yourself no
+uneasiness, my man. Everything will be satisfactorily arranged.
+Meanwhile, sit down, if you please, and tell me something about
+yourself. I understand you have been greatly worried, of late. Not quite
+yourself--let us say."
+
+Seltz looked at him in blank amazement. "I haven't been worried by
+anything, except the business which brought me here. I want my money--"
+
+"Exactly--exactly," the doctor assented, in a soothing voice. "You shall
+have your money in due time. I promise you that. But first sit down and
+let us have a little chat."
+
+Seltz sat down, helplessly. Apparently he was at a loss as to just what
+to say next. The doctor had told him that the money he expected would be
+forthcoming--he resigned himself in patience to await the latter's
+pleasure. For a moment he glanced at Duvall, however. "You should not
+have taken it from me," he said, peevishly.
+
+Duvall looked quickly at Dr. Hartmann. The latter at once spoke up.
+"Give the matter no further thought, my man," he said, gravely. "I will
+see that you are fairly treated. But before we go ahead, I want you to
+tell me more about yourself--your life--your amusements--"
+
+"What the devil have my amusements got to do with the matter?" exclaimed
+Seltz, his voice trembling with anger. "I tell you I want my money."
+
+"And I tell you you shall have it. But, now, I insist that you let the
+matter drop for the present and answer my questions, otherwise I can do
+nothing to help you."
+
+The remark quieted Seltz somewhat. He was, after all, in a peculiar
+position. The snuff box was gone. He cursed his stupidity in having let
+it pass out of his possession before the price agreed upon for its
+delivery had been forthcoming. That Dr. Hartmann did not question the
+payment of the money, however, was reassuring. He determined to answer
+as well as he could whatever questions the doctor might see fit to ask
+him.
+
+The latter continued to examine his supposed patient with a shrewdly
+professional air. "How old are you, my man?" he suddenly inquired.
+
+"Thirty-six."
+
+"Do you drink?"
+
+"Yes--I--I drink occasionally."
+
+"Use any drugs?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Appetite good?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Sleep well?"
+
+"Yes--pretty well."
+
+"Have you had any shock, recently. Has anything happened to make you
+nervous, or excitable?"
+
+Seltz glanced nervously from Duvall to the doctor and back again. What,
+he wondered, was the purpose of this examination? Was Dr. Hartmann
+trying to lead him into damaging admissions concerning the method he had
+employed to secure the snuff box? He scowled, then suddenly spoke. "It's
+none of your affair, is it? if I have."
+
+"Oscar!" said Duvall, in a tone of remonstrance. "Don't speak to the
+doctor in that way."
+
+"Oscar!" The man turned on the detective angrily. "Look here--you took
+that--that--" he hesitated, fearful that some trap had been set for
+him--"that article away from me--now see that I get my money."
+
+The doctor glanced at Duvall. "He seems to be possessed with the one
+idea," he remarked, _sotto voce_, then turned to Seltz again. "My good
+man, I have already assured you that Mr. Brooks and myself will see that
+you get your money. What more do you want?"
+
+"I want the money," Seltz cried, losing his patience, "and I want it
+quick." He sprang from his chair, and his hand shot toward his pocket,
+whence it reappeared in a moment with a revolver. "No more of this
+nonsense, now. I want the cash."
+
+The doctor, who had also sprung to his feet, started toward the angry
+barber with outstretched hands. Seltz whirled on him, the revolver
+pointed directly at Hartmann's head. "Keep off," he cried. In his
+excitement he had forgotten Duvall, who at once seized him from behind.
+"Look out, Doctor," he cried, as he threw his arm about the fellow's
+neck and slowly throttled him. "He's gone quite insane--dangerous--take
+away the revolver."
+
+As he spoke, he tightened his arm about Seltz's throat until the latter
+gasped for breath. The revolver fell from his nerveless grasp--he
+clutched at the detective's arm and tried to tear it from his throat,
+all the while groaning and sputtering at a great rate.
+
+"Hopelessly insane, I fear," said the doctor, as he picked up the fallen
+revolver. "You had best take him away at once."
+
+"But, Doctor, I can't do anything with him in this violent state. Can't
+you give him something to quiet him?"
+
+"Nothing but a hypodermic. He wouldn't swallow a drug, I fear."
+
+"Then give him a hypodermic at once. I've got to get him away from here,
+somehow." He tightened his hold on Seltz's throat as the latter
+struggled furiously, trying his best to get away. Luckily for Duvall,
+his adversary was a man of only moderate strength, but he struggled like
+the madman the doctor supposed him to be, trying in vain to speak. The
+detective's arm, however, tightly wound about his throat, effectually
+prevented his cries from becoming intelligible.
+
+"I'm so sorry, Doctor," Duvall went on, as Hartmann prepared his
+hypodermic needle and approaching the struggling man, took hold of one
+of his arms and bared it with a quick motion. "I wouldn't have subjected
+you to all this annoyance for anything. The poor fellow has been getting
+worse for days, but I had no idea, when he left me this morning, that he
+would be like this."
+
+"It frequently happens," the doctor remarked, as he pressed the syringe
+into the man's forearm and then withdrew it quickly. "There--he'll soon
+be all right now. Just hold him there for a few moments longer, Mr.
+Brooks and he'll be sleeping like a child."
+
+Even as he spoke, the struggles of the man in Duvall's arms became less
+violent--his efforts to cry out less vigorous. "It's a sad case," the
+detective remarked. "I am very much afraid that he must be sent to an
+asylum."
+
+"Undoubtedly the best place for him, my dear sir," remarked Hartmann,
+dryly. "I see your cab is waiting, outside. As soon as the man is quiet,
+I will have one of my attendants help you to carry him to it." He went
+over to Seltz, who was now struggling faintly, and felt his pulse. "He
+is quite harmless now," he observed, looking keenly into the man's face.
+"I will call one of my men." He went to the wall and pressed an electric
+button.
+
+Duvall allowed the limp body of the barber to slip softly into a chair.
+"Poor Oscar!" he said, musingly, looking down at the huddled-up figure.
+"What a pity! Such a faithful fellow, too!" He turned to Hartmann. "I
+feel almost as though I had lost an old friend."
+
+The doctor smiled. "Rather a dangerous one, I should say," he remarked,
+as he glanced at the revolver on the table. "You will want this, I
+suppose."
+
+Duvall took the revolver and thrust it into his pocket. "Might as well
+take it along, I suppose, doctor. Now about my bill--do I owe you
+anything in addition to the fee I paid you on my arrival?" He felt for
+his pocketbook.
+
+"Nothing, my dear sir." The doctor smiled. "I feel that in accepting
+your fee I am robbing you." He drew the note from his pocket, but Duvall
+waved it aside.
+
+"I insist, my dear sir. You have given me your valuable time, at least,
+even if you could do this poor fellow no good." He paused, as an
+attendant in a gray uniform entered the room.
+
+"Max," said the doctor, addressing the man, "help this gentleman put his
+friend into the cab."
+
+The man came forward, and he and Duvall picked up the limp figure of
+Seltz, who was now sleeping soundly. In a few moments they had
+transferred him to the cab outside.
+
+As they left the house, Duvall saw Grace standing near the door, her
+face pale, her eyes seeking his. He avoided her glances, making no sign
+that he recognized her. The doctor, somewhat annoyed, requested her,
+with elaborate but firm politeness, to withdraw. She did so, without
+looking back, but her heart was beating until it shook her whole body,
+and she longed to run to her husband and drive off with him, in spite of
+the doctor's presence. Somehow she felt that the necessity which had
+kept her a prisoner in this house no longer existed--that Richard had
+succeeded in recovering the ivory snuff box, and would soon send her
+word to join him, so that they might return to Paris together. She went
+to her room, ordered some luncheon brought to her, and sat down to await
+his message.
+
+Meanwhile, Duvall, with Seltz beside him, drove rapidly away from the
+house, his arm about the man's unconscious figure. At the gate of the
+park he saw another cab waiting, and in a moment perceived that it
+contained Dufrenne, who in accordance with his instructions had been
+following Seltz. Duvall nodded to him, then pointed silently down the
+street. Dufrenne at once ordered his driver to follow. In a short time
+they had reached the Hotel Metropole, and Seltz, with the assistance of
+two of the porters, had been carried upstairs and placed on the bed.
+Duvall explained to the manager of the hotel that the man was a friend
+of his, who had been taken ill, and needed to sleep for a few hours. He
+also engaged the adjoining room at once, and thither he and Dufrenne
+presently repaired to examine the snuff box which, until now, had been
+reposing safely in the detective's waistcoat pocket.
+
+He drew it out, when they were alone, and silently handed it to
+Dufrenne. The little old Frenchman took one look at it, then threw up
+his hands with a cry of joy. "It is the Ambassador's snuff box. Heavens
+be praised!" he cried, as the tears coursed down his withered cheeks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+
+Richard Duvall looked at the tense figure, the agitated face of his
+companion, and once again a feeling of surprise swept over him, as he
+observed the little Frenchman's joy at the recovery of Monsieur de
+Grissac's snuff box.
+
+Throughout the exciting events of the morning, and of the night before,
+the detective had lost sight of the apparent insignificance of the
+object of their search; now that he for the first time saw it before
+him, his curiosity was once more aroused. Surely there must be something
+of vast interest about this apparently worthless bit of ivory, to make
+its theft the reason for a brutal murder, its recovery a matter of such
+extreme importance that Monsieur Lefevre should consider the honor of
+his country at stake.
+
+He took the box from Dufrenne's trembling fingers and examined it
+carefully. It was about two and a half inches in circumference, and
+quite shallow, not over half an inch in depth, in all. The ivory was old
+and yellow from use and time, and very thin and smooth. The lightness of
+the box surprised him--it seemed to weigh almost nothing, as he balanced
+it on the palm of his hand.
+
+The circular top of the box was curiously ornamented with a circle of
+small colorless pearls, of trifling value, set at regular intervals
+about the edge of the cover. Within this row of pearls was an
+inscription in Latin, carved in tiny letters in the ivory. From its
+first words, "_Pater noster_," Duvall saw that it was the Lord's Prayer.
+The letters extended around the circumference of the box in several
+concentric lines, or rings, inside of the ring of pearls. In the center
+of the box was a cross of ivory, carved so as to be slightly raised
+above its general surface. Beyond this, the box contained no other
+ornamentation.
+
+Along the front edge of the box Duvall noticed a small spring. He
+pressed it, in considerable excitement. Evidently the reason for the
+box's value must be within--some papers, no doubt, of extreme
+importance. He saw the cover of the box fly upward and glanced hastily
+inside. The box contained nothing but a few pinches of snuff.
+
+Duvall was almost tempted to laugh. The whole thing seemed so
+ridiculous--so utterly absurd. Absent-mindedly he tried a pinch of the
+snuff, inhaling it into his nostrils. It produced nothing more startling
+than a violent fit of sneezing. Undoubtedly Monsieur de Grissac had told
+the truth. He did use snuff.
+
+Closing the box, Duvall regarded it for a moment in silence, then looked
+at Dufrenne. "It isn't worth a hundred francs," he said.
+
+"The box?" answered the curio dealer, as he followed Duvall's glances.
+"No, monsieur--what you say is indeed true, yet I would not sell it for
+a hundred million."
+
+"But why? What is there about it that makes it so valuable? Surely you
+can tell me that, now that we have safely recovered it."
+
+"Alas, monsieur. I could not tell you, even if I knew, which I assure
+you I do not. I can only say that Monsieur Lefevre has told me that it
+holds within it the honor of my beloved country, and therefore I would
+not sell it for all the money in the world."
+
+Duvall was clearly puzzled. "Well," he said at length, as he thrust the
+box into his pocket, "there's evidently some mystery about the thing
+that I do not understand, but I suppose I shall, some day. Just at
+present our first duty is to return the box to Monsieur de Grissac."
+
+"You are right, monsieur, and at once. There is a train for Antwerp in
+half an hour. From there we can take the night boat to Harwich. Let us
+set out without further delay."
+
+"And that fellow in there?" remarked the detective with a grim laugh.
+"We've got to take him with us, you know. He'll be wanted in London for
+the murder of the man Noël."
+
+"Yes. That also is important." Dufrenne went into the adjoining room and
+stood looking at the sleeping barber. "But not so important as the
+return of the snuff box to Monsieur de Grissac."
+
+Duvall followed him, and lifting one of Seltz's arms, let it drop
+suddenly. It fell to his side, lifeless. "He's sleeping like a log. The
+doctor must have given him a pretty stiff dose. I don't see how we are
+going to travel with him in this condition."
+
+"Then we must leave him in the care of Monsieur Lefevre's other agents
+here in Brussels. We cannot delay an instant, on any account."
+
+"I do not agree with you, monsieur. There is one thing which is as
+important to me as the recovery of the snuff box could possibly be to
+Monsieur de Grissac, and that is, the safety of my wife."
+
+"Your wife?" Dufrenne stared at him in surprise.
+
+"Yes, monsieur, my wife. She is at present in Dr. Hartmann's house. How
+she came there, I do not know, but I imagine that our friend the Prefect
+sent her there, to assist, if occasion offered, in our work. In that he
+was wise; but for her presence, I fear my plan would have failed. Had
+Seltz rung the doorbell, and been admitted by any of the doctor's
+servants, I doubt if I should have been able to get the box from him
+before the latter had seen him. I should then have been obliged to use
+force, and the results might have been disastrous."
+
+"Yes, monsieur. I see that. The young lady at Dr. Hartmann's was sent by
+Monsieur Lefevre. His agents here have already informed me of that. But
+that she is your wife I did not know." He pondered for a moment,
+glancing at his watch. "It is a great pity. Delay may be most dangerous.
+Why do you not send her word to join you in Paris?"
+
+Duvall frowned, and began to walk about the room nervously. "A few
+hours' delay can make no difference," he presently said. "The box is
+perfectly safe in our hands. I am not, however, at all convinced that my
+wife is perfectly safe in the hands of Dr. Hartmann."
+
+"But he knows nothing?"
+
+"That I cannot say. So far he does not, I think, suspect that Seltz was
+the man he expected from London. If he had, he would never have let me
+leave his office. Luckily for us, Seltz was a stranger to him, and with
+the murder of Noël on his conscience, he feared to say anything to the
+doctor about the snuff box while I was present. I imagine he suspected a
+trap of some sort. But the doctor will discover, probably before the day
+is out, how he has been tricked. Then he will begin to investigate, and
+if he finds out that it was my wife who admitted the man, he may in his
+rage decide to retaliate upon her. I cannot think of leaving Brussels,
+without her. She must go with me. Upon that I am determined."
+
+Dufrenne looked grave, and a glint of anger came into his eyes. "The
+service of France, monsieur, is more important than your private
+affairs. I beg of you that you leave here at once."
+
+"But why, my friend? We can leave just as well in the morning. The box
+is safe." He felt his waistcoat pocket.
+
+"Safe, monsieur! Let me tell you that neither the box nor you yourself
+are safe for a moment, as long as you remain in Brussels. You would be
+in no greater danger, if you were carrying about with you a package of
+dynamite."
+
+"You are unduly nervous, monsieur," laughed Duvall, as he observed the
+Frenchman's look of terror. "I have every confidence in my ability to
+take care of myself. I must notify my wife to join me here as soon as
+possible."
+
+"How do you propose to do so?" inquired Dufrenne.
+
+For a moment Duvall was puzzled. "You could not safely call her up by
+telephone," the Frenchman continued. "For her to leave the sanatorium
+now, in response to such a call, would attract the doctor's suspicion at
+once. He is probably quite well aware of the fact that she knows no one
+in Brussels. If he should have her followed here, and see her meet you,
+he would at once conclude that there was something wrong about the whole
+affair. He is very well known here in Brussels, and very powerful.
+Undoubtedly he would have you both arrested on some pretext. Once you
+are searched, and the snuff box taken from you, all our work is lost."
+
+His earnest face, his frightened tones, disturbed the detective greatly.
+He saw the force of Dufrenne's arguments, yet the thought of leaving
+Grace to bear the brunt of Dr. Hartmann's anger was not to be considered
+for a moment. He looked out of the window in silence for a long time,
+trying to think out some plan that would insure Grace's safety. A gentle
+tapping at the door caused him to turn. He nodded to Dufrenne, who at
+once went to the door and opened it.
+
+The newcomer proved to be Lablanche, of the Prefect's office, whom
+Dufrenne had met earlier in the day. He bowed to Duvall, who knew him
+slightly, then glanced at the sleeping figure on the bed. "You have been
+successful, monsieur?" he inquired eagerly.
+
+Duvall nodded. "This fellow"--he indicated Seltz--"must be taken to
+London as soon as he is in condition to travel. We will leave the matter
+to you."
+
+"Excellent, monsieur. He shall be well taken care of. I presume that you
+and Monsieur Dufrenne will start at once."
+
+"I desire first, Monsieur Lablanche, to get my wife from the house of
+Dr. Hartmann."
+
+Lablanche gave a low whistle. "I should not advise you to attempt to
+communicate with her, monsieur."
+
+"You think her sudden departure would make Hartmann suspicious?"
+
+"Undoubtedly."
+
+"Then we must arrange for her to come to Brussels this afternoon on some
+pretext. If she only had some friends in the city--"
+
+"The American Minister, monsieur!" exclaimed Lablanche, suddenly. "He
+recommended her to Dr. Hartmann. It appears that he was at one time
+acquainted with your wife's people. Perhaps he would undertake to
+telephone to her. That would be entirely safe. But I beg of you,
+monsieur, do not let the Minister know what your wife's object in going
+to Dr. Hartmann's was. He knows her only as Miss Ellicott. He vouched
+for her to Hartmann. If he knew that he had been used, it would make him
+extremely angry."
+
+For a few moments Duvall stood in silent thought, then picking up his
+hat, went toward the door. "I will see the American Minister at once,"
+he said, as he went out. "Wait for me here, gentlemen. I will be back
+within an hour."
+
+Mr. Phelps, the United States Minister, was busy in his cabinet when
+Duvall was announced. He took the card from his secretary and glanced at
+it carelessly. The detective's name caused him to start. "Richard
+Duvall," he said aloud, to his secretary. "Surely it can't be the
+well-known detective, yet the name--" He regarded the card, his forehead
+wrinkled with thought. Duvall's distinguished position as the author of
+several works on the science of criminology was well known to him. "Show
+him in," he said, at length, and began to relight his cigar.
+
+Duvall was ushered in, and in a few moments had explained the object of
+his visit. "A young lady--a Miss Ellicott," he told the Minister, "had
+come to Brussels the night before, and had gone to Dr. Hartmann's as a
+patient." Mr. Phelps nodded, and added that he had met Miss Ellicott,
+and had used his influence to enable her to obtain Dr. Hartmann's
+services. "The doctor is a great friend of mine," the Minister remarked.
+"I regard him as one of the leading scientists of Europe."
+
+"Undoubtedly," the detective assented gravely. "I am not acquainted with
+him, myself. My business is with Miss Ellicott."
+
+"Then why have you come here?" asked Mr. Phelps, with some asperity.
+"The doctor's house is but a few moments' drive."
+
+"I know that. But unfortunately I am not acquainted with Miss Ellicott.
+She might resent my calling on her so unceremoniously. I had hoped that
+you might ask her to come here, so that I might be properly introduced
+to her."
+
+The Minister considered the matter carefully. Evidently he did not
+altogether like it. "You forget, Mr. Duvall," he said, finally, "that I
+myself do not know you. Furthermore I certainly have no desire to
+involve Miss Ellicott in any difficulties. I trust," he concluded,
+uneasily, "that she is not already so involved."
+
+"No." The detective shook his head. "Not yet. But unless I can have a
+few words with her in private, she soon may be. I am working in her
+interests. I am here to protect her from a grave danger." He went toward
+the Minister, and, taking a package of papers from his pocket, placed
+them in the latter's hand. "Here are my credentials. From them you will
+see that I am what I represent myself to be. I cannot undertake to
+explain to you now the reasons which prevent me from going to Miss
+Ellicott where she is. The mere fact that I am unknown to her will, I
+trust, prove sufficient. I wish to say to her but a few words. She will
+be very glad to hear them, I know."
+
+The Minister returned the papers to Duvall and glanced at the clock upon
+his desk. "We are having a few friends for dinner to-night, Mr. Duvall.
+I shall ask Miss Ellicott to join us. If you care to be one of the
+party--" He paused, looking at the other questioningly.
+
+"I shall be very glad indeed to accept, Mr. Phelps. I assure you that I
+would under no circumstances force myself upon you in this way, were it
+not for Miss Ellicott's good. And, in order that your other guests may
+not by any chance identify me, may I ask that you will introduce me as
+Mr. Brooks?"
+
+The Minister nodded. "Very well, if you wish it, Mr. Duvall. The whole
+affair strikes me as extremely unusual, and did I not know you to be a
+man of your word, I should have nothing to do with it. Under the
+circumstances, I will consent. At least, I feel sure that no harm can
+come to Miss Ellicott while she is under my roof."
+
+The detective murmured his thanks. "You will be doing Miss Ellicott a
+great service, my dear sir," he said. "And one thing more. When you
+telephone to her, asking her to come, kindly do not mention the fact
+that I have called." He took the Minister's hand and pressed it warmly.
+"Some day you will realize the dangers with which Miss Ellicott is being
+threatened."
+
+On his return to the Hotel Metropole, Duvall found everything as he had
+left it. Seltz was still sleeping soundly. Lablanche was reading a
+newspaper. Dufrenne was superintending the placing of Duvall's
+portmanteau, which had arrived from Paris in response to a hasty wire
+from him that morning. He had been without a change of linen since the
+day before, and the arrival of his baggage was gratifying.
+
+He informed Lablanche of his plans. "I shall dine at the United States
+Minister's," he informed them, "as Mr. Brooks. After dinner I shall ask
+Miss Ellicott's permission to escort her home. We will take a cab and
+drive to the railway station in time for the midnight train for Paris.
+On my arrival there, I shall give the snuff box to Monsieur Lefevre, who
+will see that it is safely returned to the Ambassador in London. You,
+Lablanche, can go to London with Seltz as soon as the latter is
+sufficiently recovered to travel--in the morning, let us say. You,
+Dufrenne, will no doubt prefer to return with me to Paris. In that
+event, kindly settle with the hotel people for these rooms, and join me
+at the railway station." He paused, opened his traveling case, and drew
+out a suit of evening clothes.
+
+Lablanche and Dufrenne withdrew into the adjoining room, where Seltz lay
+sleeping. The latter paused in the door as he went out. "Take care of
+the snuff box," he said, pointedly. "Remember--the honor of France."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+Grace Duvall went to her room, at Dr. Hartmann's, after her husband's
+departure, her feelings divided between her joy at his success--for she
+felt that his departure with Seltz meant success--and her sorrow at
+seeing him leave her, without so much as a single glance. She felt
+certain that she would hear from him during the course of the afternoon,
+and after eating her luncheon, sat down to read a book.
+
+The afternoon seemed interminable. When at last she could bear the
+inaction no longer, she rose, put on her hat, and started down the
+stairs. As she reached the hall, one of the attendants came up to her.
+"Someone wishes to speak to you at the telephone, Miss Ellicott," the
+woman said.
+
+Grace hurried to the 'phone, which was placed in a small recess half-way
+down the hall. The woman accompanied her, and stood near by as she took
+up the receiver. Clearly she was listening. Grace determined to speak
+with caution. It was undoubtedly Richard calling.
+
+When she at last made out that it was the American Minister, Mr. Phelps,
+who was speaking, she felt a keen sense of disappointment. She learned
+that he and his wife wished her to come in and dine with them. At first
+she refused, fearful least by going into Brussels she might miss some
+word from Richard. Mr. Phelps was insistent. They counted on her. He
+would not take a denial. The thought occurred to her, momentarily, that
+possibly Richard had taken this means of communicating with her. The
+idea seemed far fetched, and yet--she heard Mr. Phelps' voice, urging
+her to come, and rather half-heartedly she agreed to do so. "The United
+States Minister, Mr. Phelps, and his wife, have asked me to dine with
+them to-night," she said to the attendant. "Will you be so good as to
+have a cab here for me at half-past seven?"
+
+The woman bowed. "Certainly, mademoiselle," she said, and moved aside as
+Dr. Hartmann came along the hall.
+
+Grace thought that he looked both puzzled and angry. He assumed a
+pleasant expression as he saw her, however, and when he spoke she knew
+he had overheard what she had just said. "Dining at the Minister's
+to-night?" he remarked, as he paused for a moment. "A charming man, Mr.
+Phelps. I may look in later, myself, and bring you home." He passed on,
+his face at once resuming the angry scowl which Grace had marked as he
+approached her.
+
+She returned to her room, and began her toilette for the evening. The
+small trunk she had brought from Paris contained but a limited
+wardrobe--she had not expected anything in the way of social
+engagements, in this work that Monsieur Lefevre had assigned to her. A
+gown of black satin, however, trimmed with silver, she had put in at the
+last moment. It was very becoming--Richard had never seen her in it--she
+hoped he might come to her, before the evening was over. She half-made
+up her mind to speak to Mr. Phelps about it--to ask him to telephone to
+the hotels and attempt to locate Richard for her. Then the thought came
+to her that she had represented herself to the Minister as Miss
+Ellicott. Clearly it would never do to let Mr. Phelps know that she had
+deceived him.
+
+She arrived at the house early, and after being introduced to Mrs.
+Phelps, went to the latter's room to remove her wraps, and to talk over
+their mutual acquaintances. None of the other guests had as yet arrived.
+Grace talked to Mrs. Phelps as brightly as she could, but her mind was
+intent upon Richard, and she wondered when and how she would hear from
+him.
+
+Duvall, meanwhile, had been engaged in changing his clothes. When he at
+last put on the white waistcoat of his evening suit, he took up the one
+he had worn during the day and removed from it the ivory snuff box which
+had been the cause of his interrupted honeymoon. He glanced at the thing
+carelessly, before placing it in his waistcoat pocket, and as he did so,
+he fancied he detected a slight noise in the corridor without. In a
+moment he had thrown open the door which led to the hall. A
+man--evidently one of the hotel servants--was just rising from his
+knees, a small brush in one hand, a dust pan in the other.
+
+Duvall looked at him sharply. The man bowed, smiling in a stupid way,
+then began to withdraw, explaining that he was cleaning the hall, and
+hoping that he had not disturbed "monsieur." The detective closed the
+door, uncertain whether the man had been watching him or not. He
+remembered Dufrenne's warning, and realized that in going out, alone,
+this night, he ran some chances of having the snuff box taken from him.
+Of course, it was unlikely that Dr. Hartmann had any suspicions of
+him--yet it seemed advisable to put the box in as safe a place as
+possible, at least until he was once more across the French frontier.
+Yet where could he put it? To secrete the thing in his room was out of
+the question. The place might be searched, for all he knew, within half
+an hour of his leaving it. To conceal it successfully about his person
+seemed equally impossible. Where, indeed, could he hope to hide an
+object of this size, so as to defy a search, in case one should be made?
+His eyes suddenly fell upon the opera hat which he had taken from his
+portmanteau. He took it up and gazed at it with a smile, then quickly
+whipped out his knife and began, with great care, to detach the inner
+lining of the crown for a distance of perhaps three or four inches.
+Carefully drawing back the lining, he slipped the thin ivory box beneath
+it, and pushed it back into place. The lining was of heavy black silk,
+stiffened by the label of the maker which was glued to it. The space
+between it and the crown was considerable. When Duvall had once more
+fastened the silk in place with the aid of a needle and thread which he
+drew from his dressing case, it would have required a very careful
+inspection, indeed, to have discovered that there was anything unusual
+about the hat. Even the added weight of the box was not perceptible--its
+lightness prevented that. When he had completed his task, the detective
+suddenly threw open the door and glanced into the hall. It was vacant.
+Evidently he had not been observed.
+
+There were but four guests at the Minister's that night, of whom Duvall
+and Grace were two. The other two were a Mr. and Mrs. Haddon, friends of
+Mrs. Phelps, who were making a short stay in the Belgian capital on
+their way to their home in London.
+
+The little party, with the exception of Duvall, had already assembled in
+the drawing-room, awaiting his arrival. Grace found the Haddons charming
+and cultivated people who had traveled all over the world, owing to Mr.
+Haddon's connection with the English Consular service. Mr. Phelps had
+told Grace that they were expecting an American, a friend of his, whose
+name was Brooks, but she did not exhibit much interest in the matter.
+She was becoming more and more worried about Richard, and wondered if he
+could, by any possibility, have left Brussels without communicating with
+her. The thought seemed unbelievable.
+
+Dinner was set for eight. As the hour was striking, the butler announced
+Mr. Brooks. Grace glanced up carelessly as the latter entered, then her
+face went white, and she started forward with a glad cry. Mr. Phelps,
+who was mumbling an introduction, did not, luckily, observe her
+agitation. Duvall looked at her coolly. "Good-evening, Miss Ellicott,"
+he said, bowing. "I am delighted to meet you."
+
+The shock of the thing almost unnerved her. "Mr. Brooks," she managed to
+gasp, her face crimson. In a moment she became calmer, as she observed
+her husband's warning look, and began to chat with him nervously, as
+though he were the chance acquaintance he pretended to be. In a moment
+they all were seated about the dinner-table. He had been able to say to
+her as they left the drawing-room, however, unheard by the others, "I
+will ask permission to escort you home." She nodded, with a twinkle in
+her eyes. All her nervousness and anxiety had left her now, and in their
+place came a delicious feeling of happiness at Richard's presence, and a
+keen sense of adventure that made the blood tingle through her whole
+body. "Mr. Brooks!" She laughed inwardly at the thought that no one at
+the table but themselves knew that they were husband and wife. She
+proceeded to enter into the spirit of the occasion with huge delight,
+questioning Mr. Brooks about his business in Brussels with a keen sense
+of mischief.
+
+It was along toward the middle of dinner that one of the servants came
+in and handed Mr. Phelps a card. Duvall, engaged for the moment in
+conversation with Mrs. Haddon, did not perceive it, but Grace, who sat
+next to their host, experienced a sudden feeling of alarm. She observed
+the Minister's puzzled face, as he excused himself and left the table,
+and for an instant she thought of warning Richard. A moment's thought,
+however, convinced her of the uselessness of the attempt, nor did she
+indeed know what she could say to him. She remembered Dr. Hartmann's
+remark, that he might look in at the Minister's after dinner, to which
+she had attached no importance at the time. Now the thought came to her
+that the doctor was in the reception-room without, and that his coming,
+at this time, in the middle of dinner, meant that some disaster was
+impending.
+
+In a few moments Mr. Phelps reëntered the room, followed by Dr.
+Hartmann. The latter was in evening clothes, and his face seemed
+peculiarly forbidding and grim.
+
+"Dr. Hartmann has consented to join us," he said to his wife.
+"Philippe"--he turned to the butler--"lay another place." Then he
+proceeded to introduce Hartmann to Mr. and Mrs. Haddon and to Duvall.
+
+The latter looked at the doctor calmly. "I think we have met before,
+Doctor," he said, in an even voice.
+
+"Quite so." Hartmann's face showed not a trace of emotion of any sort.
+"I hope your servant is better."
+
+"He's still asleep," laughed the detective, then explained to the
+others, in a few words, his adventure of the morning. He saw that the
+Minister was puzzled, but the latter said nothing, at the time, and in a
+few moments the matter was forgotten. Only Grace showed any signs of
+alarm--Duvall went calmly on with his dinner as though nothing had
+happened. He spoke to her only occasionally and then addressed her with
+the formal politeness of a total stranger.
+
+Dr. Hartmann was observing him intently under cover of a spirited
+conversation with Mrs. Phelps. It was clear to Grace that he could not
+quite understand why Duvall, or Brooks, as he supposed him to be, was
+dining here at the Minister's.
+
+It was quite late when the party rose from the table, and, a little
+while later, Grace, anxious to get away from the place, and be alone
+with Richard, announced that she must return home. "Mr. Brooks has
+kindly offered to escort me," she said, quickly, fearful that Dr.
+Hartmann might suggest that she return with him.
+
+The latter smiled coldly, his eyes fixed on her with a gleam of
+suspicion. "I think I shall be going myself," he said, as he took leave
+of the remainder of the party.
+
+As they reached the sidewalk, Duvall observed the taxicab he had ordered
+to be in readiness, standing in front of the door. He helped Grace
+inside, then turned in some hesitation to the chauffeur. He dared not
+tell the fellow to drive to the railway station, since Hartmann, who
+stood beside the cab chatting with Grace, would inevitably hear him. He
+therefore instructed the man to go to Dr. Hartmann's with the intention
+of countermanding the order a little later, as soon as they had got out
+of earshot of the house. He threw open the door, entered the cab, and
+was about to pull the door shut after him when he felt his wrist seized
+from behind in a powerful grasp, and before he realized what had
+happened, Dr. Hartmann had stepped into the cab and closed the door. The
+chauffeur at once started off at a great rate.
+
+"I'm sure, Mr. Brooks," said the doctor, suavely, as he sat down in the
+forward seat, his right hand still grasping Duvall's wrist, "that you
+will not mind taking me home with you. It is a long walk, and I fear
+there are no other taxicabs in sight."
+
+Duvall looked at him sternly, then attempted to draw away his hand.
+"What do you mean, monsieur," he asked, harshly, "by detaining me in
+this manner?" He again tried to free his wrist, but the doctor was too
+strong for him.
+
+Hartmann smiled pleasantly. "I feared, Mr. Brooks," he said, "that you
+might be tempted to use the revolver which you have in the pocket of
+your coat." He reached over quickly with his other hand and drew the
+revolver from the detective's pocket.
+
+Grace, through all this, had said absolutely nothing. She realized how
+fatal any interruption by herself might be. She did not know of her
+husband's intention to leave Brussels that night. She had heard him
+order the chauffeur to drive to the sanatorium. Perhaps he wished her to
+return there. In that event, it was imperative that Dr. Hartmann should
+not know that the supposed Mr. Brooks and herself were anything but the
+most chance acquaintances.
+
+"Doctor," she cried out, "what are you doing?"
+
+"It seems that Dr. Hartmann has suddenly lost his senses, Miss
+Ellicott," exclaimed Duvall angrily.
+
+"Quite so, my friend," said the doctor, sarcastically. "Just as our poor
+friend Seltz lost his. Don't try anything like that," he snarled,
+suddenly, as Duvall attempted to release his arm with a sudden twist. "I
+have a few questions I desire to ask you, Mr. Brooks."
+
+"Questions? What are they?"
+
+"I cannot possibly ask them here, in the presence of Miss Ellicott.
+Perhaps you will oblige me by stepping into my office for a few moments
+when we arrive at our destination."
+
+"I can spare you five minutes," said Duvall, sullenly. He could not help
+remembering Dufrenne's advice, and regretted bitterly that he had not
+followed it. He had been prepared for almost any contingency. As he left
+the Minister's house, his hand clutched a revolver in the pocket of his
+coat. There seemed no way in which Hartmann could prevent him from
+taking Grace to the railway station. He felt so sure of this that he
+became overconfident. One moment only had he been off guard--the moment
+when, with his back to Hartmann, he had stepped into the cab. And the
+latter, seizing upon that instant's slip, had turned the tables upon him
+so completely that he cursed himself in his chagrin. Here he was, headed
+for Dr. Hartmann's house, on the outskirts of the town. Once there, the
+latter's attendants could easily overpower him and carry him into the
+place helpless. There seemed no possible means of escape. He determined
+to brazen the matter out, and meet Hartmann on his own ground.
+Resistance would at this juncture be useless. He congratulated himself
+that Grace had, by her cleverness, not shown her hand. The doctor
+evidently did not suspect, at least not very strongly, that she was
+anything other than she seemed--a patient. He knew he would be searched,
+and hoped that the place of concealment of the snuff box would defy even
+Hartmann. After that, he would demand his release, and rely upon Mr.
+Phelps to get it for him.
+
+He lifted his head and saw that they were at the house. Without
+loosening his hold upon Duvall's arm, the doctor called to the
+chauffeur, "Ring the bell." The latter did so. In a moment, a servant
+appeared. "Send Max and Rudolph here," cried Hartmann, and presently two
+husky young Germans came out of the house. Hartmann spoke a few quick
+words to them in their own language and they ranged themselves on either
+side of the cab door. Then the doctor threw it open, and released the
+detective's wrist. "Get out, if you please, Mr. Brooks," he said, with a
+sardonic smile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+When Grace arrived at Dr. Hartmann's that night, she was so utterly
+astonished by the course which events had taken that she was scarcely
+able to think. What to do she could not even guess. Here was her
+husband, the man she loved, in the power of Dr. Hartmann, and there
+seemed nothing whatever that she could do to help him. Yet how could she
+go quietly to her room, when Richard might be in the gravest danger? On
+the other hand, to attempt any resistance, to let the doctor know, by
+any action on her part, that she and Duvall were working in conjunction,
+would result in nothing but further disaster. The thought flashed
+through her mind that by preserving her character of a patient, she
+might, in the morning, communicate with Mr. Phelps, and secure his
+assistance in obtaining Richard's freedom.
+
+These considerations came and went in the few seconds required for the
+little party to enter the hall. Her husband went first. Dr. Hartmann
+stood aside to permit her to follow him. Duvall turned as she passed
+through the door, and she heard him whisper, in a voice scarcely
+audible, "Say nothing." It was the cue she desired. She extended her
+hand as the doctor came in. "Good-night, Mr. Brooks," she said, quite
+calmly. "Thank you for bringing me home. I hope we shall meet again,
+sometime."
+
+"I hope so," Duvall remarked, indifferently, then turned to the doctor.
+"Now, monsieur, let us have done with this farce as quickly as possible.
+I have no time to waste."
+
+"Nor have I. Good-night, Miss Ellicott." He nodded pleasantly to Grace
+as she ascended the stairs, then addressed one of the two attendants.
+"Where is Herr Mayer?" he asked.
+
+"He is waiting for you in the laboratory, Herr Doctor," the man replied.
+
+"Good! This way, if you please." He motioned down the hall. "Be so good,
+Mr. Brooks, as to proceed at once."
+
+Duvall started off down the hall in no pleasant frame of mind. The whole
+affair had been bungled by his stupidity. He passed through the door
+which Hartmann presently opened at the end of the hall, and found
+himself in a long narrow passage, lit by a single electric lamp.
+Hartmann closed the door carefully behind him, and came on down the
+corridor, his footsteps echoing loudly on the concrete floor.
+
+At the end of the corridor a second door confronted them. It was opened
+by a tall blond man, with a reddish mustache and brilliant blue eyes. "I
+heard you coming," he said, nodding to Hartmann, then looked keenly at
+Duvall. "So this is the fellow, eh? Where shall we take him?"
+
+The doctor pointed to an iron door which faced that by which they had
+entered. Between the two doors ran a narrow corridor, with an iron
+staircase to the left, leading upward. "In here," he said, shortly, and
+going to the door, opened it with a key which he drew from his pocket.
+
+Again Duvall cursed his stupidity. For a moment, thoughts of resistance
+crossed his mind but he at once realized the hopelessness of it, and
+followed the doctor into the room. The tall man brought up the rear,
+closing the door silently after him.
+
+The room was pitch dark. In a moment, however, Hartmann had pressed an
+electric button, and a brilliant light flooded the place. Duvall looked
+about him curiously, and in that fleeting glance saw that the room was
+without windows of any kind, and that the walls, smooth and white,
+contained no openings whatever, except the door by which they had
+entered. The floor, as he could tell by its feel under his feet, was of
+cement. The room was bare of furniture, but he perceived a number of
+boxes and packing cases standing about the walls.
+
+The instant the door was closed, Hartmann sprang at the detective and
+grasped his two wrists. The latter had always been considered a powerful
+man, but the arms and shoulders of the doctor were those of a Hercules.
+"Search him, Mayer," he said, as he pinned Duvall's wrists together in
+his iron grip.
+
+The man addressed as Mayer at once began a systematic search of Duvall's
+person. With deft fingers he explored his pockets, felt the linings of
+his clothing, tore through the contents of his pocketbook. The opera hat
+had fallen to the floor, in the short struggle which ensued when the
+detective found himself in Hartmann's grasp. Mayer picked it up, glanced
+at it carelessly, then threw it angrily into a corner, where it rolled
+unobserved, into the shadow of a large box.
+
+"There is nothing here," he said, in a voice of keen disappointment. "He
+must have hidden it elsewhere."
+
+"In his room at the hotel, perhaps--his portmanteau," the doctor said,
+eagerly, releasing Duvall's hands and throwing him to one side with some
+violence.
+
+Mayer looked grave. "I have searched everything thoroughly. It is not
+there."
+
+The doctor muttered an oath. "The other--the old Frenchman?"
+
+"He was arrested to-night on a charge of irregularity in his passport.
+Nothing discovered. He will be released in the morning."
+
+"_Teufel!_" The doctor swore excitedly in German. "Then the other
+one--the one who was in charge of Seltz--he must have it."
+
+"No. He also has been searched, with the same results."
+
+"May I ask what you are looking for?" asked Duvall, calmly.
+
+"You know, well enough, Duvall," exclaimed Mayer, turning on him. "Oh,
+yes--I know your name. The examination of your baggage showed that. As
+soon as I wired to London and discovered that the man Seltz had left
+there last night, I knew how we had been fooled. One of our men saw the
+snuff box in your possession just before you left the hotel to go to the
+house of Mr. Phelps. What have you done with it?"
+
+Duvall regarded his questioner calmly. "I do not know what you are
+talking about, gentlemen. I have no snuff box, nor do I use tobacco in
+that form. And now, if you have concluded this outrage upon an American
+citizen, perhaps you will let me return quietly to my hotel. If you do
+not, I promise you you shall pay heavily for it."
+
+His words, for the moment, seemed to disconcert the two men. Then Mayer
+laughed, "Nothing but bluff, young man--American bluff. I know who you
+are. You followed Seltz here from London, and got the snuff box from him
+by a trick. Now tell us where it is."
+
+The detective smiled. "I do not know what you are talking about," he
+said, quietly.
+
+Dr. Hartmann growled out an oath. "Take off his things, Mayer. He may
+have the box in his clothing somewhere--or the heel of his boot. I'll
+get a dressing-gown, from above." He left the room, and Duvall heard him
+clanking up the iron staircase.
+
+"If you insist on removing my clothes," he said to Mayer, "I prefer to
+do so myself." He rapidly stripped off his evening suit and shoes, and
+threw them upon the floor.
+
+The man gathered them up, feeling each article carefully, and testing
+the heels of the boots with a knife which he drew from his pocket. He
+appeared greatly disappointed at not finding the object of his search.
+Then he again examined Duvall, feeling his person from head to toe with
+great care. He had just finished when the doctor returned with a long
+gray woolen dressing gown, which he tossed to the detective.
+
+"He's hidden it somewhere. He hasn't got it with him," Mayer exclaimed,
+angrily.
+
+"Take him to the small bedroom in the west wing," said the doctor.
+"We'll get it out of him, before we're through. You can leave the
+clothes in the laboratory." He cast his eye about the room to see that
+nothing had been forgotten. Duvall trembled, thinking of the hat lying
+unseen behind the packing case in the corner. Hartmann, however, did not
+observe it. Without saying anything further he threw open the door, and
+they all passed into the little hall.
+
+From there, Duvall was led up the iron staircase to the floor above, and
+found himself in a large room which he took to be the doctor's
+laboratory. It was dimly lit by means of a reading-lamp. He had a
+confused vision of a number of scientific appliances, bulking huge and
+forbidding in the shadows, and then was conducted through a glass door
+and along a corridor similar to the one through which he and the doctor
+had so recently passed on the floor below. He judged, from the direction
+they were taking, that it was directly above the lower passageway, and
+led back to the main part of the house.
+
+In this he soon found that he was correct. A door at the end of the
+corridor gave entrance to the upper central hall of the main building.
+He was led off to the right, catching a momentary glimpse of a woman
+attendant sitting in a chair near the head of the stairs as he passed.
+In a few moments Hartmann paused before a door, threw it open, and
+turned on the lights. The detective saw before him a well-furnished
+bedroom, with two large windows, and another door, which he later found
+gave entrance to a bathroom. The dark shadows against the night light
+without showed him at once that the windows were barred.
+
+He turned to the two men. "You do not intend to release me then?" he
+asked, angrily.
+
+Hartmann laughed. "You will be quite comfortable here, my friend. I am
+sure that a few days of complete rest will benefit your condition
+greatly. I imagine your trouble is merely a temporary affliction--a loss
+of memory, let us say, an inability to recall your name. We'll soon have
+you all right again. You have only to inform me where you have placed
+the snuff box which you stole from my messenger this morning, and I
+shall know that a complete cure has been effected. If your friends are
+alarmed about you, it will be quite sufficient to tell them that you are
+in my care. Mr. Phelps, for instance, has complete confidence in my
+ability. I will make it a point to explain matters to him at once. Just
+a trifling ailment, a disordered condition of the brain cells. A week
+should set you right again. If there is anything you wish, the
+attendants will get it for you. Your clothes will be sent up from the
+hotel in the morning. Make yourself quite at home, I beg of you."
+
+He turned away, with a sardonic smile, and Duvall heard the key turn in
+the door as it closed. He glanced at the barred windows, the door,
+half-open, leading to the bathroom, and realized that there was not the
+slightest hope of escape. Dr. Hartmann evidently intended to keep him a
+prisoner until he disclosed the whereabouts of the snuff box. He smiled
+grimly as he threw himself upon the bed. It seemed likely that his stay
+would be a long one.
+
+After a time he began to think of Grace. How cleverly she had carried
+out her part! It was clear that the doctor did not suspect her, or, if
+he did, was unable to see where his suspicions led. How strange it
+seemed to realize that she, his wife, lay somewhere under the same roof
+with him--possibly even in the very next room! But thirty-six hours had
+passed since their wedding and their sudden and unexpected parting.
+During that time, he had seen Grace but twice, once, at Hartmann's
+office, in the morning; the second time, at the Minister's that night.
+How he had longed to touch her hand, to put his arms about her, to feel
+his lips on hers. Yet as matters stood, the chances of their seeing each
+other in the near future seemed particularly remote. He wondered if
+Hartmann would keep him a prisoner in his room. The morning, of course,
+would tell. He switched off the lights, got into bed, and after a long
+time fell into a broken sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+
+It was late in the afternoon, when Dr. Hartmann, through his man Mayer,
+discovered that Seltz had left London, and should have appeared at his
+office with the snuff box during the forenoon. A description of Seltz,
+together with a curious feeling of uneasiness which he felt after the
+departure of the man who had introduced himself as Mr. Brooks, caused
+him to conclude that he had been made the victim of a clever trick, and
+one which only his professional enthusiasm had made possible.
+
+He at once set to work, through Mayer and his men, to locate Brooks.
+This was done, without difficulty, at the Hotel Metropole. While the
+doctor followed the latter to the Minister's, firm in his belief that he
+carried the snuff box with him, Mayer had arranged through certain
+connections with the Belgian police, to have Dufrenne arrested and
+placed in confinement over night on a trumped-up charge; Seltz
+liberated, and Lablanche held on a pretense of being concerned in the
+theft from the latter of a valuable package. A thorough search of
+Duvall's baggage--Dufrenne, it seemed, had none--disclosed nothing,
+except certain documents setting forth that the latter was Richard
+Duvall, an American citizen. It was these papers, in fact, which Duvall
+had shown to Mr. Phelps earlier in the day.
+
+There was nothing to indicate to Hartmann that Duvall was acting in the
+interests of the French secret police, but the doctor suspected it,
+knowing as he did that the recovery of Monsieur de Grissac's snuff box
+would become at once a matter of the utmost moment to Lefevre and his
+men. Curiously enough, his momentary suspicions of Grace had largely
+disappeared. There was nothing to connect her with Duvall. He did not
+know that it was she who had opened the door and admitted Seltz to his
+house earlier in the day--he thought that Duvall had done this himself.
+Grace's manner, her conduct during the ride in the cab from the
+Minister's house, had shown him nothing. Still, he felt that she would
+bear watching and made his plans accordingly.
+
+The sun was shining through the windows of Duvall's room when he awoke
+the next morning. For a brief space he was unable to recognize his
+surroundings, then the sequence of events came to him with a rush. He
+was conscious of a knocking at the door. He sprang up and opened it.
+Outside stood one of the men attendants whom he had seen the night
+before, with the portmanteau containing his clothes. The man placed the
+bag upon a chair, and opened it, then withdrew.
+
+Duvall proceeded at once to dress. He had just finished when the
+attendant returned with an elaborate breakfast on a tray. He ate
+heartily. Evidently the doctor had no intention of starving him. Upon
+the table he observed his watch and seals, which he had worn with his
+evening clothes the night before. He looked at the watch and saw, to his
+astonishment, that it was after nine o'clock.
+
+Now that he was dressed, he wondered what he should do with himself. It
+did not occur to him that the doctor would do other than keep him
+confined to his room, yet the man who had brought the breakfast things
+had not apparently locked the door when he went out.
+
+Without any clear idea of what he intended to do, Duvall went to the
+door and tried it. To his surprise, he found it unlocked, and in a
+moment he had passed out into the hall.
+
+The house seemed deserted. Even the attendant who had sat at the head of
+the stairs the night before was no longer in evidence. He went down to
+the lower floor without seeing any one. As he passed the door of the
+doctor's office, on his way to the entrance, he heard it open, and Dr.
+Hartmann looked out at him with a grim smile. "Ah--going for a stroll, I
+see, Mr. Duvall," he said, pleasantly enough. "It's a fine morning. I
+hope you enjoy it."
+
+Duvall made no reply. He appreciated fully that Hartmann was only making
+fun of him, and realized his helplessness.
+
+Once outside the door, he paused for a moment to drink in the beauty of
+the morning. Straight ahead of him stretched the driveway which led to
+the main road. The ornamental iron gate stood invitingly open. He went
+toward it, unconsciously pondering upon his situation and what he could
+do, if anything, to escape from it. At the gate he paused, looking about
+carefully to see whether his movements were observed. There appeared to
+be no one near him, although along one of the paths to the right of the
+house, he saw several persons walking, whom he judged to be inmates of
+the place. One or two others sat on benches among the shrubbery,
+reading. None of them seemed to take the least interest in his
+movements.
+
+An empty cab passed slowly, the driver on the lookout for a fare. For a
+moment the detective thought of escape, his hand came up with a jerk to
+signal the cabman, then suddenly he let it fall with an exclamation of
+dismay. He could not escape--he did not dare attempt it, knowing that
+the snuff box, which had already caused him so much anxiety and trouble,
+lay in a corner of the room beneath the doctor's laboratory. First he
+must get that, before he could attempt to escape. He turned slowly back
+toward the house.
+
+Then suddenly another doubt assailed him. Had not Dr. Hartmann allowed
+him this liberty merely to see whether or not he would take advantage of
+it? Would the latter conclude, now that he had failed to do so, that the
+snuff box was hidden somewhere on the premises? The thought disturbed
+him greatly.
+
+Still another consideration occurred to him. If he made any attempt to
+recover the box, would his doing so not show his captors at once that
+they had overlooked the hat--a chance, indeed, in a thousand? The first
+move he might make toward the room under the laboratory, would arouse
+Hartmann's suspicions, a search would be made and the hat and its
+precious contents discovered.
+
+Certainly he was tied hand and foot. He dared not leave the place,
+without taking the snuff box with him; he dared not attempt to recover
+it for fear its hiding place would thereby be disclosed. He was, he
+suddenly realized, as much a prisoner as though he were locked in a
+cell. And Grace?
+
+The thought of her caused him to glance about nervously, and in a moment
+he saw her coming toward him from the direction of the house. She
+appeared to be looking for him, yet when she saw him, she seemed in
+doubt as to what to do. Duvall went up to her. "Good-morning, Miss
+Ellicott," he said, in a voice clearly audible within the house, were
+any of the windows open. He fancied he detected Hartmann's dark face
+peering at him from the waiting-room.
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Brooks," she said, affecting great surprise at seeing
+him. "You are here still?"
+
+"Oh, yes." His tone was careless, but as he spoke he moved in a
+direction away from the house, and toward a small bench that stood
+beside the driveway. "Dr. Hartmann concluded that I needed
+treatment--I'm afflicted with loss of memory, it seems. Beautiful day,
+isn't it?"
+
+She murmured some response, waiting for him to speak again. Presently he
+judged the distance from the house sufficiently great. No one was near
+enough to possibly overhear them.
+
+"The snuff box is hidden--sewn inside of the false crown of my opera
+hat," he said, in a low voice. "It is in the room under the doctor's
+laboratory. He does not know it is there, and I don't dare try to get
+it, for fear he will find out. If you have a chance--" He paused.
+
+"I understand."
+
+"But be careful--very careful."
+
+"I will." They sat down upon the bench toward which they had been
+headed. "I had thought of seeing Mr. Phelps to-day, and asking him to
+have you released."
+
+"It would be useless," he said. "I cannot go without the snuff box."
+
+"Shall I send word to our friends in Brussels?" she asked.
+
+"How can you do that?"
+
+She explained the method, by means of the boy who drove the delivery
+wagon. He considered the matter carefully. "Let them know that I am
+here, and why I cannot escape. Tell them that the snuff box is safe--so
+far. Do not let them know where it is--I trust no one with that--except
+you, dear."
+
+The tenderness of his voice thrilled her. She longed to grasp his
+hand--to tell him of the love which filled her heart. Suddenly he spoke,
+quickly, warningly. "Be careful," he said. "We are being watched. That
+man Mayer is observing us with an opera glass, from a window of the
+house. Don't look at me that way. I shall leave you now. Let us meet
+during the afternoon." He rose, bowed to her carelessly, and strolled
+back toward the house, leaving her disconsolate upon the bench.
+
+He entered the hall aimlessly, not knowing what to do next. The
+situation was one which taxed his resources to the utmost. No case that
+he had encountered in his whole experience offered the slightest
+suggestion whereby he might hope to effect a solution of his present
+difficulties. Courage, resource, ingenuity seemed alike useless. He was
+helpless.
+
+Dr. Hartmann appeared in the hall as he entered it. "Come in, Mr.
+Duvall," he said, holding open the door of the office. "Suppose we have
+a little chat."
+
+For a moment the detective hesitated, then decided to meet the doctor's
+good nature in kind. "By all means," he replied. "You owe me some
+explanation of your conduct in keeping me here."
+
+"Keeping you here, Mr. Duvall? Surely you are mistaken. The gate is
+open." He waved his hand toward the lawn.
+
+"I have no desire to run away, like a criminal, Dr. Hartmann. When I go,
+I shall go in a dignified way, and take my belongings with me."
+
+"Your belongings!" The doctor seemed impressed with the remark. "So you
+have the snuff box hidden somewhere among them, have you?"
+
+Duvall began a hasty denial, but the doctor cut him short. "Absurd, Mr.
+Duvall," he exclaimed. "You would leave here quickly enough, if you
+could take the box with you. But where you have concealed it, I confess
+I cannot imagine. I have examined your things with the utmost care. It
+is not among them, of that I am certain. I gave you your liberty this
+morning, to see whether or not you would attempt to escape. Had you done
+so I should have known that the box was concealed somewhere in the city,
+or else in the hands of your confederates. Now I am convinced that it is
+here. I thought at one time that you might have given it to Miss
+Ellicott--I have an idea that there is something between you, although
+of that I am by no means certain. But I know that she hasn't it, for her
+belongings were searched with equal care, last night, while she slept.
+The thing is a mystery to me, Mr. Duvall, and I compliment you upon your
+ingenuity. Had you been as wise, yesterday, as you were clever, you
+would have left Brussels before I discovered the trick you had played on
+me. Why you did not do so--why you foolishly remained to dine at the
+house of Mr. Phelps, I confess I cannot see. It is beyond me. But all
+that is beside the case. You have the snuff box--at least you know where
+it is. Are you going to turn it over to me, or must I force you to do
+so?"
+
+Duvall listened to the doctor with an impassive face. "I know nothing
+about any snuff box," he returned, with a show of anger. "You are
+wasting your time, Dr. Hartmann. I have nothing more to say on the
+subject." He turned his back and gazed moodily out across the lawn.
+
+Hartmann regarded him with a scowl of anger. "I give you until to-night,
+Mr. Duvall, to do as I ask. After that, I shall be compelled to force
+you to do so."
+
+The detective shrugged his shoulders and turned to the door. "You use
+strong words, my friend. If any harm comes to me, my government will
+know how to deal with you." His threat did not seem to alarm the doctor
+particularly. "Do not forget, Mr. Duvall," he said, with an evil smile,
+"that while I know how to cure mental disorders, I also know how to
+create them. Good-morning."
+
+The grave threat in his words filled Duvall with uneasiness. What did
+Hartmann mean? Did he propose to feed him with drugs, cunningly
+concealed in his food, which would steal away his senses, and leave him
+a babbling child? The thought was terrifying. Yet he had until to-night.
+He decided to return to his room and think, hoping thus to evolve some
+plan which might prove a solution of his difficulties. In the afternoon
+he would communicate it to Grace, and she, in return, could send word to
+Dufrenne, so that the latter might coöperate with him.
+
+He found everything in his room as he had left it, and, seating himself
+by the window, was soon plunged in deep thought. The arrival of one of
+the attendants with his luncheon some two hours later woke him from a
+maze of profitless scheming. The problem was as yet still unsolved.
+
+After luncheon, he decided to go down and have a talk with Grace. By
+keeping away from the house, and walking through the shrubbery, he hoped
+to be able to talk with her more freely. Much to his surprise, he found
+the door of his room once more locked. He sat down with a feeling of
+utter helplessness. The net was beginning to close about him.
+
+Dinner was brought in at seven, and with it a small bottle of claret. He
+made an excellent meal, in spite of his unhappy reflections. The claret
+proved a welcome addition to it. On the tray was also a cigar. Decidedly
+the doctor was thoughtful, he reflected grimly.
+
+Shortly after dinner he began to feel strangely drowsy. For a time he
+resisted the feeling--fought against it, but his eyelids seemed weighted
+with lead. Try as he would, he could not keep his eyes open. He threw up
+the window, gasping at the fresh air, but it had little effect. He
+rushed to the door, tried it, found it locked as he had expected, then
+groped toward the bed and fell heavily upon it, drunk with sleep. "It
+must have been the wine," he muttered to himself, and in another moment
+his muscles relaxed and he lay unconscious.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+When Richard Duvall once more opened his eyes, he saw nothing but a
+blinding glare of light, that hurt and bewildered him with its singular
+and brilliant intensity. He closed his eyes again at once, unable to
+bear the irritation which was thus caused him. It was not exactly pain
+that he felt, but an intense discomfort, such as one experiences when
+looking directly at the brilliant rays of the sun.
+
+After a few moments spent in futile attempts to cover his eyes with his
+hands, only to discover that his arms were tightly bound, he thought to
+secure relief by turning his face to one side, so that his vision might
+seek the soft darkness which seemed to lie on every side of him. In this
+effort he was equally unsuccessful. His head, his neck, his whole body,
+were rigid, immovable. He could not stir an inch in any direction.
+
+He spent a long time in useless speculation upon the meaning of the
+remarkable situation in which he now found himself. He felt no pain, no
+discomfort, except that which the brilliance of the light above him
+caused. He determined at length once more to open his eyes, in order to
+discover if possible its source.
+
+Even when his eyes were closed, he could see that the strange light
+burnt upon them. In a way it rendered his eyelids translucent--he was
+conscious of a dull pulsing redness through which shot a network of
+lines of fire. He opened his eyes slowly, cautiously, and looked upward.
+From some point above him, in what he judged must be the ceiling of the
+room, extended a beam of violet white light, cutting sharply through the
+darkness like the rays of a searchlight. At the opening in the ceiling
+through which it came, this beam was in diameter not more than two
+inches, but as it extended downward, it widened, taking the form of a
+long, thin, truncated cone, so that its width, where it impinged upon
+his face, was perhaps equal to twice that of a man's hand.
+
+The darkness of the room about him made the beam of light seem a
+tangible, material thing. Its brilliance was unwavering--it extended
+from the ceiling to the surface of his face with the solidity, almost,
+of some huge, glittering icicle. He felt as though, were his hands but
+free, he could brush it aside, fling it off bodily into the darkness.
+
+The effort of looking directly at the source of the light made his eyes
+smart with pain, but he found that by half-closing them, he could look
+off into the darkness, through the brilliant cone. In the pathway of its
+rays danced and tumbled innumerable dust specks--he knew then but for
+their presence, to afford the light a reflecting surface, its rays would
+be invisible to him.
+
+In color the light was not yellow, like sunlight, but had a cold
+violet-blue quality, more nearly resembling moonlight. Its intensity, as
+well as the shape of the light cone, made him conclude that it was being
+focused through a powerful lens, or projected by means of a brilliant
+reflector.
+
+He could imagine no possible reason for the situation in which he found
+himself. What the purpose of the beam of light was; why it thus focused
+upon his upturned face, he could not guess. He thought about it for many
+minutes, his eyes closed, his head straining restlessly toward the soft
+outer darkness. Presently there flashed into his mind Dr. Hartmann's
+words at their last meeting: "While I know how to cure mental disorders,
+I also know how to create them." The thought made him shudder. Was this,
+then, the explanation of his predicament? Somewhere he had read, not
+long before, a newspaper account of the investigations of certain
+Italian scientists, concerning the effect of the violet and ultra-violet
+light rays upon the cells of the brain. He could not recollect just what
+the conclusions had been, but he did remember that the newspaper article
+spoke of the popular superstition that moonlight could cause insanity.
+He knew Hartmann to be a scientist of vast ability and resource, and
+realized that back of the elaborate preparations he had evidently made
+must lie some sinister purpose.
+
+For what seemed an eternity he lay thinking, unable to come to any
+rational conclusion. The distressing effect of the light rays increased,
+rather than diminished, as his nerves became more and more unstrung. It
+seemed, even with, his eyes closed, that he could feel the _weight_ of
+the cone of light upon his face. The desire to escape from its searching
+glare became well-nigh irresistible. How long would this torture
+continue? He began to feel intensely tired and worn out and realized
+that could he but shut out the blinding brilliancy which enveloped him,
+he would sink exhausted to sleep. Sleep! He could no more sleep, under
+the present conditions, than he could fly to the moon. Then there came
+to his mind a recollection of a form of torture practised among the
+Chinese, the prevention of sleep. Prisoners, he had read, were confined
+in a cage, in brilliant sunlight, and prevented from sleeping by being
+prodded from without with spears. At the expiration of a week, he had
+read, the victim goes raving mad. Was this, then, Hartmann's intention?
+
+Whatever the man did, he knew he would adopt only such methods as would
+involve him in no damaging consequences. He might be kept in his present
+situation until insanity ensued, and Hartmann with his reputation as a
+physician, a scientist, could calmly deny any story he might tell,
+putting it down to the wanderings of a disordered brain. He realized the
+cunning of the man, his care to use no physical violence. Should he,
+Duvall, under the strain of the torture which he realized lay before
+him, consent to disclose the whereabouts of the ivory snuff box, in
+return for his liberty, what could he do, in retaliation? Hartmann would
+calmly deny his story, and would doubtless produce witnesses, such as
+Mayer, to prove that the detective came to him for treatment for some
+slight mental disorder, some lapse of memory and that the exposure to
+the light rays had been but part of his usual treatment. Clearly the
+doctor had covered his tracks most successfully.
+
+Throughout all these torturing thoughts, the figure of Grace came and
+went unceasingly. What would she do--what could she do, to aid him? He
+had warned her not to ask Mr. Phelps to take any steps looking to his
+release. He realized that were Hartmann to appear now, and give him his
+freedom, he would not dare to accept it. That the doctor might do this
+very thing was his greatest fear. If he should insist upon his leaving
+the place, what could he do, then, to recover Monsieur de Grissac's
+snuff box? He prayed fervently that Dufrenne and his companions might in
+some way work out a plan to set matters right.
+
+Presently he fell to thinking of the snuff box, and its safety. How
+fortunate it seemed, that the doctor and his man Mayer had overlooked
+the opera hat. He wondered if they had thought of it since? It was clear
+that they had not, else he would no longer be kept a prisoner. What was
+the room beneath the laboratory used for? Its appearance had suggested
+that it was not used at all--a mere lumber-room, a place for storing
+boxes and crates. And then there flashed into his mind the thought,
+where was he now? From the apparent distance of the ceiling, as shown by
+the beam of light, he concluded that he was lying on the floor, a
+conclusion which the hardness and coldness of the surface beneath him
+amply proved. Evidently it was a floor of stone, or cement, not one of
+wood. A certain sense of familiarity in his surroundings came over him.
+The faint radiance which was diffused about him by the light cone showed
+the walls before and on either side of him to be of uniform blackness,
+unrelieved by any suggestion of windows. He strove with all his power to
+pierce the shadowy gloom, to come upon some point of recognition, but
+the darkness baffled him.
+
+In one corner a huge shadow, bulking formless against the wall,
+suggested the packing case behind which his opera hat had been tossed by
+Mayer during the search the night before. The thought thrilled him with
+renewed hope. What more likely place, after all, for Hartmann's
+deviltries than this silent room beneath the laboratory? If he was lying
+there now, and chance of escape should come, he might even yet be able
+to take the missing snuff box with him.
+
+The hours dragged interminably. He was conscious of a keen feeling of
+pain, a smarting irritation, in his eyes, which caused tiny streams of
+moisture to trickle beneath their lids and roll unheeded down his
+cheeks. The muscles of his neck became sore and swollen, from his
+incessant though useless effort to turn aside his head. A dull pain
+began to shoot insistently through his temples, and his limbs became
+numb and cold. The desire to escape from the relentless brilliance of
+the light cone became unbearable; he felt as though, if relief did not
+soon come, he would shriek out in a madness of terror. Then the
+hopelessness of doing so became apparent, and he nerved himself with all
+the power of his will to endure the ever-increasing torture. Yet this
+torture was, he knew, largely mental--the actual pain was by no means
+unbearable; it was only the dull, insistent pounding of the light rays
+upon his eyes, his brain, from which he longed to escape. With closed
+eyes and tensely drawn nerves, he waited, watching the endless play of
+the tracery of light in the dull redness of his eyelids.
+
+The sudden sharp rattle of a key in the door, followed by the turning of
+the knob, told him that someone was entering the room. He had a
+momentary vision of a patch of light, yellow against the surrounding
+blackness, which disappeared almost instantly as the door was closed.
+Then he was conscious of a shadowy form beside him, and heard the
+smooth, modulated tones of Dr. Hartmann's voice.
+
+"Well, Mr. Duvall," he said, "how goes the treatment? Memory any better
+this morning?"
+
+He made no reply. The mockery in the doctor's voice roused him to sudden
+and bitter anger.
+
+"I'm trying a new modification of the light treatment upon you,"
+Hartmann went on, with a jarring laugh. "Dr. Mentone, of Milan, has
+great hopes of it. Wonderful thing, these violet rays! Have you read of
+their use in sterilizing milk? No? The subject would interest you. How
+is your mind this morning? Somewhat irritated, no doubt. Well, well,
+that will soon wear off. You've only been under the treatment six hours.
+Scarcely long enough to produce much effect. We'll make it ten, the next
+time. It is necessary to increase gradually, in order not to superinduce
+insanity." He went to a switch on the wall and pressed it, and instantly
+the cone of light disappeared. Another movement, and the room Was
+flooded with the yellow glow of an electric lamp, which seemed dingy and
+wan, compared with the cold brilliance which it displaced.
+
+The dispelling of darkness brought to Duvall's brain a rush of
+sensations, among which the knowledge that he was once more in the
+lumber-room beneath the laboratory stood forth with overwhelming
+prominence. He glanced at Hartmann with reddened eyes. "Let me up, damn
+you!" he shouted.
+
+The doctor bent over him, his face smiling. "Just a moment, Mr. Duvall.
+Have a little patience." He began to unbuckle several straps, and
+presently stood back, with a wave of his hand. "Get up," he said.
+
+The detective's swollen muscles, his stiffened limbs, still retained the
+sensation of being bound; he scarcely realized that his bonds had been
+removed. Painfully he crawled to his feet, and stood before the doctor,
+blinking, trying to collect his faculties. On the floor lay a number of
+broad leather straps, secured to iron rings which had been let into the
+cement floor.
+
+His first thought was to make a quick rush at his captor, and after
+overpowering him, secure the snuff box and dash from the place. His eyes
+must have shown something of his intention, for Hartmann, stepping back
+a pace, drew his right hand from his pocket. It contained an
+ugly-looking magazine pistol. "Don't attempt anything rash, Mr. Duvall.
+It would be useless. Even should you succeed in disposing of me, which I
+hardly think possible, you could not get away from my man Mayer, who is
+waiting in the corridor outside. Enough of this nonsense," he went on,
+scowling. "I mean to be quite frank with you, my friend. I intend to
+subject you to this device of mine--" he waved his hand toward the
+opening in the ceiling--"until you disclose the whereabouts of the snuff
+box. I know it is somewhere near at hand, either here or in Brussels,
+for your two assistants, whom I have had released, have been hanging
+about the place all the morning. If the violet rays have no other
+effect, they will at least prevent you from sleeping, and my experience
+shows that loss of sleep, if persisted in, will shatter the best set of
+nerves on earth. You know what the effect is, for six hours. The next
+time, as I said some little while ago, we shall try ten--and after that,
+longer periods, until the process becomes continuous. I am giving you
+these brief respites, at first, because I have not the least wish to
+drive you mad--all I ask is the snuff box which you took from my
+messenger Seltz. Give it up, and you can go at your convenience. But I
+must have it--even if I am obliged to drive you to the limit. I advise
+you to save yourself much suffering, and give it to me now."
+
+The detective drew back his arm--his fist clenched. The impulse to drive
+it into Hartmann's face was overpowering. He turned abruptly on his
+heel, and made no reply.
+
+Hartmann waited for a moment, then seeing that his prisoner was not
+disposed to answer, went toward the door. "Max," he called, opening it,
+"bring in the tray." The attendant at once entered with a waiter
+containing food, which he placed on a box near the door. "Is that all?"
+he asked. Hartmann nodded and the man withdrew.
+
+"Think the matter over, Mr. Duvall," the doctor remarked, as he stepped
+across the threshold of the door. "I shall call upon you again, later in
+the day."
+
+Duvall waited until the door had been closed and locked, and the
+doctor's footsteps had died away up the iron staircase. He heard them
+for a moment, on the floor of the room above, then all was quiet.
+
+In a moment the detective had stepped to the large box in the corner,
+behind which lay, he believed, the discarded opera hat. At a glance, he
+saw that it was still there. He was about to stoop and pick it up, when
+a sudden fear swept over him. Suppose he was being watched. The doctor
+was in the room above. The presence in the room of the beam of light
+showed clearly that there must be an opening in the ceiling, into the
+laboratory. For all he knew, Hartmann might be observing his every
+movement. He stopped in his attempt to pick up the hat, and pretended to
+be greatly interested in the box and its contents. After making a
+careful examination of the labels upon it, he strolled carelessly back
+to the other side of the room, and ate the breakfast which the attendant
+had left. He supposed it to be breakfast, although he had no realization
+of the time. In a moment he felt for his watch, and found that it was
+still in his pocket. When he consulted it, however, he saw at once that
+it had run down.
+
+After his meal, he began to feel terribly tired and sleepy. At first he
+fought off the feeling, realizing that his only hope of freedom lay in
+keeping awake, with all his senses alert. Then he thought of the
+nerve-racking hours through which he had just passed; the many more
+which were likely to follow, and decided that he must have rest at any
+cost. He threw himself upon the floor, his head pillowed upon his arm,
+and was soon sleeping the deep sleep which follows utter exhaustion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+All during the afternoon of the day upon which she had first met her
+husband during his confinement at Dr. Hartmann's, Grace Duvall wandered
+about the place, looking for him, waiting with growing fears for his
+appearance. When evening came, and she had failed to find him, she
+became greatly alarmed. In her excitement, she forgot the word she had
+agreed to send into Brussels by the boy who drove the delivery wagon,
+and was just returning to the house when she heard someone calling to
+her from the drive. She turned and saw that it was the bread boy, who
+had stopped his cart some little distance from the veranda.
+
+"Mademoiselle," he called, "you have dropped your handkerchief." He
+pointed with his whip to a white object which lay in the roadway close
+beside the wheels of the cart. She had not dropped her handkerchief--she
+knew that it was at that moment tightly clenched in her left hand, but
+she understood.
+
+"Thank you," she called, and hurried toward him. The boy, meanwhile, had
+climbed down from the wagon, and picking up the handkerchief, which he
+had himself secretly dropped, handed it to her, with a polite bow. She
+felt, as she clutched the bit of linen, that within it lay a note.
+
+"He is here," she said quickly, in an undertone. "The box is safe. It is
+hidden. They have not yet discovered it. But I am afraid something
+terrible has happened to Mr. Duvall. Tell them to send help, quick." She
+turned away, and the boy mounted his box, whistling gayly, and at once
+drove off.
+
+Grace hurried to her room, to examine the note within the handkerchief.
+She could hardly wait to see what it contained. The contents were a
+great disappointment to her. "Leave the house about ten o'clock
+to-morrow morning," it said. That was all. She had already decided to do
+this, in order to effect, if possible, her husband's release. So far as
+the snuff box was concerned, she felt that she did not care whether the
+doctor discovered it or not, if only she might know that Richard was
+safe. All during the evening she wandered aimlessly about the house,
+hoping each minute that she might come upon him, but her search was in
+vain. Richard Duvall seemed to have vanished completely.
+
+Once she met the doctor, just as she had given up in despair and was
+returning to her room. He spoke pleasantly enough, asked her how she
+felt, and showed much concern that she had refused to eat any supper.
+"You must eat, mademoiselle," he told her. "Have you taken regularly the
+tonic I prescribed?" She nodded, not considering it necessary to inform
+him that she had carefully poured it, dose by dose, into the sink. For a
+moment she thought of asking him what had become of Mr. Brooks, but she
+feared to rouse his suspicions. "I'm feeling somewhat out of sorts," she
+said. "I'll be all right in the morning."
+
+"I am gratified to observe," he remarked, as she left him, "that you had
+no tendency to walk in your sleep last night. I trust the improvement
+will continue. Good-night." She could not determine whether or not there
+lay any hidden meaning back of his words. His mirthless smile somehow
+made her feel uncomfortable.
+
+His words, however, inspired her to form a new plan. She would go to the
+laboratory that night, if she could by any means escape the vigilance of
+the woman on guard in the hall, and find out, if possible, whether or
+not Richard was confined there. From the windows of her room, which
+faced the rear of the house, she could see plainly the small square
+brick building in which the laboratory was located. There were lights in
+the floor on a level with her windows--that, she knew, was the room in
+which she had seen Hartmann sitting at his desk, on the night of her
+arrival. But there were, she knew, rooms both above and below this one,
+and in the latter lay hidden the Ambassador's snuff box. Was Richard
+confined there, as well? She determined to find out.
+
+The woman who sat on watch in the hall came to her room at half-past ten
+and looked in to see if she required anything. Grace, who was just
+getting into bed, told her that she did not, said good-night sleepily,
+and asked her to turn off the lights. The woman did so, and closing the
+door softly, retired.
+
+Grace lay in bed a long time, wondering how she could get down the hall,
+and into the passageway leading to the laboratory, without being
+observed. There seemed no possible way of accomplishing this, yet she
+was determined to attempt it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint
+ringing of an electric bell. She knew it was the one in the hall, near
+where the nurse sat, by which any of the patients, desiring her presence
+during the night, might summon her to their rooms. Grace slipped out of
+bed, opened her door the slightest crack, so that she could command a
+view of the hall, and peered out. She saw the nurse coming toward her
+with a glass of water in her hand. She disappeared for a moment into a
+room across the corridor, then reappeared almost at once and resumed her
+seat at the head of the stairs.
+
+Grace was disappointed. She had been on the point of starting out, when
+the woman's reappearance prevented her. She crouched on the floor beside
+her door, waiting until the nurse should again be summoned away.
+
+She waited for hours. She heard the church bells in the city, far off
+and muffled, booming the hour of midnight. The nurse on the chair yawned
+and nodded. After what seemed an eternity, she heard one o'clock strike,
+and then two. The house was shrouded in silence. Her knees were cramped
+and cold, from contact with the floor; her whole body seemed sore, from
+the nervous tension of her position. She almost screamed, when the
+electric bell suddenly rang out again, its sound intensified by the
+stillness until it seemed as though it must wake everyone in the house.
+
+The nurse rose sleepily, glanced at the indicator on the wall which
+informed her from which room the summons had come, and started down the
+corridor toward the west wing of the building. As she passed beyond the
+circle of light cast by the electric globe in the central hall, Grace
+pushed her door open and slipped noiselessly out. For a moment she
+hesitated, saw the woman enter a room midway of the corridor, then flew
+like the wind toward the door which gave entrance to the passageway
+leading to the laboratory. Her bare feet made no sound, she gained the
+door without being discovered, and in an instant had swung it open, and
+was standing in the long covered way outside. She drew the door to after
+her noiselessly, then sank upon her knees and listened. In a short while
+she heard the nurse come shuffling down the corridor, and the creaking
+of her chair as she sank heavily into it. So far, she felt that she was
+safe.
+
+She advanced along the corridor with great caution. Her chief fear was
+that the door of the laboratory might be locked, in which case, she
+would be unable to proceed further. When she reached it, and felt it
+yield as she slowly turned the knob, she heaved a sigh of relief. In a
+moment she was in the laboratory.
+
+The room was unlighted, save for a faint glow which came from a small
+black box in the center of the floor. She had no idea what this box was,
+but noticed that heavy wires ran to it, from each side, and that there
+were several protuberances upon its top, which shone like brass. She did
+not stop to examine it further, however, but looked about for some means
+of reaching the room below. The idea of recovering the snuff box had
+suddenly occurred to her. With that in her possession, Richard, she
+believed, need no longer hesitate to escape at the first opportunity. He
+had told her that it was hidden in the room beneath. She ran quickly
+down the steps which she observed in one corner, feeling a glow of
+excitement at the daring of her quest.
+
+At the bottom of the stairs she found a narrow little corridor with a
+heavy door opening on it which she judged led into the room she desired
+to enter. The corridor was lighted by a single window at the end
+opposite the staircase, through which came a faint light from without.
+
+She groped about in the semi-darkness until she found the knob of the
+door and slowly turned it, pressing her weight against the panels. It
+did not yield. With a sickening feeling of disappointment she realized
+that it was locked.
+
+She stood still for a moment, wondering what she should do next.
+Suddenly she shuddered, and a horrible faintness came over her. From
+within the room she distinctly heard the slow moaning of someone
+evidently in great pain. Thoughts of Richard at once rushed through her
+mind; she flung herself on her knees, in an agony of fear, and sought
+frantically for the keyhole. At last she found it, and looked into the
+room. The sight that met her gaze sent her reeling backward. There lay
+Richard, her husband, upon the floor, his face encircled by a ring of
+blinding light, by which she could see, with frightful distinctness, the
+ghastly expression of his features, the lines of agony about his eyes
+and mouth.
+
+For a moment she beat frantically upon the door, calling to him
+incoherently. She thought he did not hear her, for he did not turn his
+head. Then she stopped, frightened at what she had done. Suppose the
+doctor were to overhear her? Everything would be lost. There was but one
+chance for Richard now, she felt, and that lay with her. She would leave
+the house, in the morning, proceed at once to the Minister's, and tell
+him the whole story. Snuff box or no snuff box, she was determined to
+rescue her husband from his present situation, if it was not already too
+late.
+
+For a long time she looked into the room, watching the face, grim and
+silent in the circle of light. She called to him over and over, softly,
+telling him of her plans, of her love for him, of her sorrow, but he
+seemed not to hear. But for the twitching of his face, and the low moans
+which he uttered from time to time, she might have supposed him dead.
+
+How she got back to her room, she could scarcely have told. She
+staggered up the stairs into the laboratory, out along the corridor, and
+at last reached the door leading into the main building. She pushed this
+silently open, and gazed cautiously into the hall. The nurse sat in her
+chair, apparently asleep. With the utmost care, Grace managed to enter
+the hall, and to close the door behind her. Then seeing that the woman
+was rousing, she determined upon a bold plan. She opened her eyes wide,
+trying to give them a vacant, staring appearance, and with arms extended
+started toward the nurse.
+
+The latter rose with an exclamation of alarm, then recognizing the
+sudden apparition as Grace, came up to her, took her by the arm, and led
+her back to her room. She sank helplessly upon the bed, and pretended to
+fall asleep. Whether the woman suspected her or not, she could not
+tell--she noticed that she locked the door, on leaving the room.
+
+The hours until dawn seemed interminable. She lay in bed, praying that
+there might yet be time in which to save Richard from Hartmann's
+machinations. What it was that the latter was doing to him, she could
+not guess, but the look of agony on Duvall's face told her that his
+sufferings, from some cause, were very great.
+
+After a long time the day broke, and she dressed and managed to choke
+down a little breakfast. She kept in her room until long after nine
+o'clock, not daring to leave the house before ten. Dr. Hartmann came in
+just as she was preparing to go. She saw him glance quickly toward her
+hat, as she put it on. "I'm going in to the city, this morning, doctor,"
+she said, carelessly. "There are a few things I must get at one of the
+shops."
+
+He nodded, as though the matter were quite unimportant. "You had another
+attack, last night, Miss Ellicott," he said. "I regret that the symptoms
+have recurred."
+
+"Did I? What did I do?" she inquired, wide-eyed.
+
+"Nothing, luckily. Walked down the corridor a short distance, the nurse
+tells me. She stopped you before you got very far." He regarded her with
+his keen professional look. "Strange--you do not appear abnormally
+nervous. I fear I shall have to begin the hypnotic treatment at once."
+
+She paid but scant attention. If she could accomplish what she hoped,
+this morning, neither Dr. Hartmann nor his treatments would matter in
+the least to her. "I am sorry it will be necessary," she said, "but of
+course you know best."
+
+When she left the grounds, she watched carefully to see if she was being
+followed, but there was nothing to indicate that such was the case. At
+the corner below, a small, youngish-looking man turned in behind her. He
+appeared to have been walking rapidly, but she had no particular reason
+to believe that he was following her.
+
+She made at once for the center of the town, determined to walk the
+distance rather than wait to find a cab. On the way she passed several
+stores, and it occurred to her to stop in at one of them and buy a pair
+of gloves, to lend color to her excuses. She did so, and was just going
+out again when she suddenly came face to face with the young man she had
+thought was following her. "Miss Ellicott," he said, raising his hat,
+and as his hand was poised before her eyes, she saw on his finger a ring
+similar to the one which had been given her in Paris by Monsieur
+Lefevre, on the day of her departure. She colored, started to pass on,
+then stopped. "Good-morning," she gasped, faintly.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you," he rattled on. "Don't you remember our being
+introduced, at dinner one night, in Paris. I'm delighted to meet you
+again. On your way down-town, I suppose?" His remark seemed a question.
+She answered it at once. "Yes, a little shopping to do, and then I
+thought of stopping at the house of some friends--the United States
+Minister," she added, by way of explanation.
+
+The stranger bowed. "May I have the pleasure of accompanying you?" he
+asked. "I also am going in that direction."
+
+Grace assented, and they went out together. At the door the man summoned
+a cab. "It is safer," he whispered. "We may be observed."
+
+Once inside the cab, which was a closed one, the young man began to ply
+Grace with questions. "I am one of Monsieur Lefevre's men," he told her,
+noting her momentary hesitation. "Be quite frank, please, and tell me
+everything."
+
+When she had finished her story, he sat in silence for a long time. Then
+he turned to her with a question which made her think he had suddenly
+lost his mind. "Has Dr. Hartmann a phonograph in the house?" he
+inquired.
+
+"A phonograph?" she looked at him curiously.
+
+"Yes--yes." His voice betrayed his excitement. "We must send a message
+to Mr. Duvall. Your windows overlook the room where he is confined. He
+may hear it. It is the only way."
+
+"Yes," she said, after a moment's thought. "There is a phonograph in the
+library--a small one. It is seldom used. But Dr. Hartmann--"
+
+"Listen to me," he interrupted, "and do exactly as I say. Pretend to be
+ill. Ask Dr. Hartmann's permission to have the instrument moved to your
+room. Then play the records which I am about to get for you."
+
+She gazed at him, scarcely understanding. "But--" she began.
+
+"Of course you will play other records, as well, but this one you must
+play often--as often as possible. I do not know that Mr. Duvall will
+understand what the message is--it is a chance, but we must take it. I
+myself do not understand it very clearly, but the suggestion comes from
+Monsieur Lefevre himself. You know him. He has your husband's safety at
+heart." He leaned out, giving a few rapid instructions to the cabman,
+and then once more turned to Grace.
+
+"Do not visit the house of the United States Minister. It will be most
+unwise. As soon as he learns that Mr. Duvall and yourself are at Dr.
+Hartmann's house as spies, he will of necessity refuse to assist you
+further. Should he not do so, should he demand Mr. Duvall's release,
+nothing would be gained, since the snuff box would of necessity be left
+behind. Dr. Hartmann will not injure your husband--he is too anxious to
+get possession of the snuff box for that. We will try the phonograph,
+to-day, and if that means is unsuccessful, we must make an attempt to
+regain the box, and release your husband by force."
+
+As he finished speaking, the cab drew up at a music store. The stranger
+sprang out, and in a few moments reappeared with a small package in his
+hand. He handed it to her, then removed his hat and bowed. "I would
+suggest, mademoiselle, that you return at once, and make use of this as
+I have directed. If anything further occurs, send word by the delivery
+boy to-night." He bowed, and walked rapidly down the street.
+
+Grace sadly ordered the cabman to return to Dr. Hartmann's, and then sat
+back, her mind torn by conflicting emotions. The whole thing seemed
+inexplicably mysterious and confusing. Here was Richard, her husband,
+suffering she knew not what agonies at Dr. Hartmann's hands, and these
+people, who ought to be attempting to liberate him, asked her to play
+upon the phonograph. She tore open the package which the young man had
+handed her, and glanced at it eagerly. Its title told her no more than
+the stranger himself had done. She read it over and over, aimlessly. It
+was _The Rosary_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+The dull, heavy sleep into which Richard Duvall had fallen, after Dr.
+Hartmann had left him, was suddenly disturbed by the realization that
+someone had seized him roughly by the arms. He attempted to rise,
+struggling instinctively against the two men who, he dimly saw, were
+bending over him, but his resistance was useless. In a moment the
+leather straps which encircled his wrists and ankles had been drawn
+tight, and he felt himself being lifted bodily and deposited on the
+floor in the center of the room. At first he cried out, cursing his
+captors loudly, but an instant's reflection showed him how profitless
+his remonstrances were, and he allowed himself to be bound to the floor
+in silence. In a moment, Dr. Hartmann--the detective saw that it was he,
+with Mayer--had switched on the violet light, and he once more felt its
+blinding radiance upon his face.
+
+Hartmann opened the door. "I shall be back again in a few hours," he
+said, as he left the room. "I hope that by that time you will have quite
+recovered your senses."
+
+The detective made no reply. He had definitely made up his mind upon one
+point: he was not going to purchase his freedom at the expense of his
+duty. The unfortunate situation in which he now found himself was, he
+knew very well, entirely his own fault, and his desire to atone for his
+momentary carelessness made him determined not to accede to Dr.
+Hartmann's demands. He hoped that his friends outside--Lablanche,
+Dufrenne, even Grace--might be able to come to his assistance. If he
+could only know that the snuff box was safe in Monsieur Lefevre's hands,
+the rest did not matter much.
+
+These thoughts passed through his mind as he lay with closed eyes, his
+face quivering under the dazzling light which fell upon it. Its
+intensity was, he thought, greater, if anything, than it had been
+before, and the irritating effect upon his eyes more pronounced. He did
+not open his eyes at all, on this occasion, for fear even a momentary
+exposure would increase their sensitiveness.
+
+Slowly the day passed. He concluded that it was afternoon, when he heard
+far off a bell striking the hour of two, although it might equally well
+have been two o'clock in the morning, for all he could tell. There was a
+faint hum of conversation in the laboratory above him, which convinced
+him that it was still day.
+
+Presently his ear, acutely sensitive to the slightest noise which might
+disturb the stillness about him, became aware of a faint sound of music,
+which seemed to come to him from a long distance off. It was a popular
+French march, and from a certain quality of the notes he concluded that
+it was being played upon a phonograph. The strains of the music
+distracted him, took his mind from the things about him, and as he
+listened to it, it seemed that the effort of keeping his eyes tightly
+closed grew sensibly less, the blinding pressure of the unwavering light
+cone upon his face appreciably easier to bear. He knew that this was but
+a momentary relief, but he welcomed it eagerly. Lying in this terrifying
+silence, under the cruel glare of light, had become frightful--he
+wondered if, after all, his nerves, his mind, could long stand the
+strain.
+
+The music stopped suddenly. He found himself eagerly hoping that there
+would be more. In a few moments it began again, and he was listening to
+the familiar strains of _The Rosary_. He had always liked the
+song--Grace, too, had been fond of it. He wondered if she could be
+playing to him, trying to soothe his fast-shattering nerves with music.
+It pleased him to think that it might be so, although he had no reason
+to suppose that Grace knew of the torture to which Dr. Hartmann was
+subjecting him.
+
+After a time, the final strains of _The Rosary_ died away, to be
+followed by a German march, played by some military band. This, too, he
+was glad to hear, although he found himself thinking that he preferred
+_The Rosary_. As if in answer to his thoughts, it began again--he found
+himself repeating the words to himself mechanically, and thinking of
+Grace.
+
+The music continued for long over an hour. Duvall noted with surprise
+that while there were many other selections, _The Rosary_ was played
+almost every other time. So often, in fact, did its strains break the
+stillness, that he became annoyed--in his nervous state this constant
+repetition of the song worried him. After a time he shuddered when he
+heard it, hoping that each time would be the last. No one but an
+imbecile, he muttered to himself, could enjoy playing a piece over and
+over in that aimless fashion. When at last the impromptu concert had
+ceased, and the silence about him was once more unbroken, he found
+himself puzzling in vain over the matter, as though it had become of
+vast importance to him.
+
+After the music ceased, he realized how much it had helped him to endure
+the two or more hours which had elapsed since Hartmann left him. His
+real tortures were only just beginning. The constant blaze of light on
+his face, the ceaseless effort to keep his eyes closed, to turn his head
+away, in spite of the bonds which prevented it, once more almost
+frenzied him. He fell to wondering whether Hartmann had been in earnest,
+when he told him of the qualities of the violet rays. Could they in any
+way affect his mind? The mere thought stimulated his imagination to such
+an extent that already he was convinced that his senses were
+wandering--that his mind was becoming sluggish and dull.
+
+As hour after hour passed, this thought became almost a certainty. His
+head began again to ache terribly, his eyes seemed to swim in pools of
+liquid fire. Bright flashes of light darted through his brain, and at
+times it seemed almost on fire. The pain which the constant effort to
+turn his head caused, was becoming more acute as each minute passed--he
+felt constantly on the point of screaming out in terror--begging for
+release--agreeing to do anything they asked of him. Then with a mighty
+effort of the will he would calm himself, and closing his eyes tightly
+once more, determine to endure until the end.
+
+After an interminable period, the sound of the music once more fell upon
+his troubled brain. This time the strains sounded more distinct and
+clear. Three times in rapid succession _The Rosary_ was played, then
+sudden silence. He waited in vain for more--dreading the recurrence of
+the song, yet expecting it, as one expects the continuance of any
+oft-repeated sound. There was nothing further, however, and once more
+the silence became like the darkness about him, a grim and positive
+thing.
+
+Hours later, when his brain reeled endlessly in a blazing redness, and
+his tortured eyes seemed bursting from their sockets, the cone of violet
+light vanished as though some silent hand had brushed it aside, and in
+the reaction he fainted.
+
+He awoke again to find himself lying on the floor, with Hartmann bending
+over him, feeling his pulse. In a fit of rage, he struck out with his
+clenched hand, and missing, scrambled to his feet. The room was faintly
+lit by the single electric globe, and he saw Mayer and Dr. Hartmann
+confronting him, the latter with a revolver in his hand. Once more he
+realized the futility of resistance, and sank against a packing box, his
+hand covering his burning eyes.
+
+The latter appeared to be no longer in his former state of sardonic good
+nature. "Are you ready to tell us what you have done with the box?" he
+snarled.
+
+Duvall made no reply, and this angered the doctor still further. "I'll
+give you an hour to think the matter over," he said, furiously. "And if
+you don't come to terms by that time, you shall stay under the influence
+of the light until you do." He turned toward the door, followed by
+Mayer, and in a moment they had left the room.
+
+Duvall, in his pain and distress, realized that something would have to
+be done at once, within the next hour, in fact, or he would be obliged
+to give up. Physical torture he could stand, but to lie here silently,
+under that cruel radiance, and realize that his brain was slowly giving
+way, he felt he could not endure.
+
+Yet what was there that he could do? The walls of the room, of solid
+brick, he could not hope to penetrate. The door, of iron, a dozen men
+could not break through. He forced his shoulder against it, and laughed
+bitterly as he realized that with all his strength he could not even
+cause it to give the fraction of an inch. He determined to get the snuff
+box--to examine it--reckless of his fear of being observed. In a moment
+he had snatched the opera hat from the corner, torn out the lining, and
+held the box in his hand.
+
+He paused for a moment, listening intently. Everything about him was
+still. There were no sounds from the laboratory above. He remembered now
+that he had not heard Hartmann and his companion ascend the iron
+stairway. Doubtless they had returned to the main building by means of
+the lower corridor.
+
+In a moment he had hung the torn opera hat over the knob of the door, to
+prevent anyone from observing him through the keyhole, and going
+directly beneath the bracket which held the electric globe, proceeded to
+examine the box carefully.
+
+The first thought that came to his mind, filled him with a strange
+feeling of hope. He had no more than glanced at the top of the box when
+he saw what he had previously failed to observe, that the circle of
+pearls upon its top formed a rosary, which was completed by the ivory
+cross in the center. The Rosary! Why had this song been so persistently
+and continuously played? Was it for him, some message, indeed, intended
+to show him a way out of his difficulties? Yet if so, to what did it
+lead? There was a rosary upon the top of the box, it is true, but what
+of it? Absently he began to count the pearls, hardly realizing what he
+was doing. One of them, he noted, the one at the very top of the cross,
+was larger than the others, and he started here, slowly counting around
+the circumference of the box. His eyes pained him frightfully and twice
+he lost count and had to begin all over again, but on the third attempt
+he discovered that the pearls numbered twenty-six. Even yet, the
+significance of this fact did not occur to him--he began to count the
+pearls again, mechanically.
+
+Then suddenly, in a flash, the thing came to him. Twenty-six
+pearls--twenty-six letters in the alphabet. Evidently the box, in some
+way, formed a cipher, a secret alphabet, which might be used in
+correspondence, or in the preparation of important documents, yet
+how--how?
+
+With repressed eagerness he held the box more closely to the light,
+searching its surface for some further clue. At once he noticed the
+arrangement of the concentric circles of letters which made up the Latin
+prayer. The words were so written that each letter stood opposite a
+pearl, and reading inward from each pearl, there was a row of letters
+six deep reaching almost to the center of the box. Clearly here were six
+different ciphers, that is, six circles of twenty-six letters each, any
+one of which might constitute a working cipher. It was only necessary to
+call the big pearl at the top "_A_," and here were six different letters
+opposite it, any one of which, in a system of cipher writing, might be
+used as the letter _A_.
+
+Duvall, however, knew enough about ciphers to know that such an
+arrangement constituted no cipher at all, in other words, that ciphers
+so simple, so readily solved, as this, would never be employed in any
+case where absolute secrecy was imperative. He felt that there was
+something more to the matter than he had so far discovered.
+
+Suddenly he saw that, just beyond each pearl, was engraved on the ivory
+rim of the box a number--starting with the large pearl at the top as
+number one, the circle of numbers ran around the edge of the box until
+it returned to its starting point, at number twenty-six. In his efforts
+to see these numbers, which were very small, he gripped the box tightly
+in his hands to hold it the more steadily toward the rather dim light.
+In doing so, he suddenly became aware of the fact that the rim or edge
+of the box, containing the numbers and the circle of pearls, was
+movable. It fitted so cunningly into the top of the box, that the joint
+appeared not as a crack or perceptible space, but merely as a fine thin
+line, apparently a part of the engraving on its surface. Holding the
+lower part of the box firmly in his left hand, he turned the rim of the
+top slowly about. At once the purpose of this became apparent. Not only
+had each pearl, representing a letter of the alphabet, six corresponding
+values from rim to center, in any one position, but by turning the rim
+around, twenty-six such positions could be secured, making a total of
+one hundred and fifty-six different alphabets from which a person
+desiring to use a cipher might choose.
+
+Again, however, Duvall was conscious of a feeling of disappointment. One
+hundred and fifty-six different ciphers were no better than a single
+one, if only one were used. Evidently he had not yet reached the
+solution of the problem. In employing such a system of ciphers, some
+combination, precisely similar to the combinations used on the locks of
+safes, would have to be used. It was absolutely necessary, in order to
+insure safety, to use not one cipher, but a large number, changing the
+arrangement of the letters with each line written--even with each word,
+in order to defy solution. Yet such an arrangement being purely
+arbitrary, could not well be trusted to memory, for, once forgotten, the
+translation of the document written, even by the writer himself, would
+be absolutely impossible. It occurred to him that as there were six
+different concentric lines of lettering, each constituting in itself a
+complete cipher, the obvious way to use the box would be to place the
+pearls in a given position, write six words, using a different alphabet
+for each word, and then shift the ring of pearls to a new position, and
+repeat the operation. This, of course, could be done indefinitely,
+although half a dozen changes would be sufficient to insure a cipher
+that would absolutely defy solution. Where, however, was the key? That,
+after all, was the important matter; without it, the snuff box would be
+as useless to Monsieur de Grissac as it would be to his enemies
+themselves.
+
+For many minutes Duvall puzzled over the matter, unable to reach any
+satisfactory conclusion. Then he began to think of the song which had so
+clearly been repeated, over and over, as a message to him from outside.
+The words of the refrain began to run aimlessly through his mind, his
+eyes upon the box. Suddenly he realized that the word cross, in its
+repetitions, its position as the final word of the song, must have a
+definite meaning. Before his eyes he saw the cross, so delicately carved
+as to project scarcely an eighth of an inch above the thin and fragile
+ivory surface. Instinctively he began to push at it, pressing it this
+way and that, to discover, if possible, any spring or other means
+whereby it might be made to turn or lift up. As he did so, his fingers
+unconsciously pressed upon the large pearl at the top. In a moment the
+upper surface of the cross slid to one side, disclosing a tiny shallow
+cavity beneath it, some quarter of an inch in either direction, and no
+deeper than the thickness of a piece of cardboard. Within this lay a bit
+of tissue paper, tightly folded.
+
+Duvall drew it carefully out and examined it. Upon it were written six
+numbers: 12-16-2-8-20-4. There was nothing else upon the paper, but
+Duvall realized that he held in his hand the key of the cipher.
+
+At once Monsieur de Grissac's agitation, the servant Noël's death,
+Hartmann's persecution of him, became clear. Evidently there were
+documents, somewhere, of some nature, which this cipher made
+intelligible and which, without it, were proof against all attempts to
+read them. What were these documents? Were they in Hartmann's hands?
+These questions, he knew, could not be answered now.
+
+Immediately the question rose in his mind: What should he do next? By
+destroying the tiny slip of paper, he could render the snuff box
+valueless. Without the key, no one could use it with success. But, the
+key once destroyed, how could Monsieur de Grissac himself read the
+documents, for the preparing of which it had been utilized? Possibly, if
+Hartmann had such documents, they were but copies, obtained through the
+corruption of some clerk, while the originals remained in De Grissac's
+possession. For these reasons he dared not destroy the cipher, at least
+until all other means of escape had been exhausted. Then he realized, in
+a flash, that if he proposed to utilize the return of the snuff box as a
+means of obtaining his freedom, he could not hope to do so, if the key
+was removed. Doubtless Hartmann knew of its existence. In some way he
+had learned, possibly through the murdered man Noël, that the box
+contained such a key, and would examine it, and satisfy himself that it
+had not been removed, before he would allow him to leave the place. This
+would inevitably result in his being searched, and the key, concealed
+about his person, found. He stood in an agony of doubt, wondering which
+alternative he should take.
+
+His reflections were rudely disturbed by the sound of footsteps in the
+corridor outside the door. In a moment he had replaced the tiny bit of
+paper in the recess beneath the cross, slid the latter back into place,
+and thrust the box beneath a mass of straw which lay on top of the
+packing case against which he had been leaning. Then he turned toward
+the door and had barely time to hurl the opera hat into a dark corner,
+when the door opened, and Hartmann appeared on the threshold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+It was not until early in the afternoon that Grace was able to
+accomplish anything toward carrying out the instructions which young
+Lablanche had given her with respect to the phonograph. On her return to
+Dr. Hartmann's from her expedition to Brussels, she went at once to her
+room, and locked the record which Lablanche had given her in her trunk.
+There was nothing to be done now, until after luncheon.
+
+When the meal was over, she asked one of the attendants, who seemed to
+be a sort of housekeeper, or head nurse, if there would be any objection
+to her taking the phonograph, which was a small and rather cheap affair,
+to her room. She wished to amuse herself, she explained, playing over
+some of the records.
+
+The woman regarded her curiously for a moment, but as there seemed
+nothing out of the way in the request, she assented, with the caution,
+however, that she should not use the instrument except during the day.
+"Some of our patients are very nervous," she explained. "It might annoy
+them, if they were sleeping. Of course, if there are any complaints, you
+will not continue."
+
+Grace got one of the nurses to carry the instrument to her room, and
+selected several records from those which she found in a cabinet on
+which it stood. There were several American records--she took all of
+these, and some others selected at random.
+
+She did not play The Rosary at once, but made use of one of the other
+records. The horn of the instrument she directed toward the open window.
+When she had finished the first air, and adjusted her own record upon
+the plate of the machine, she felt afraid that it might at once be
+recognized as strange and new, but apparently no one paid any attention
+to it.
+
+She continued her playing as long as she dared without running the risk
+of attracting undue attention. When at last she stopped, she felt as
+though she never wanted to hear the strains of The Rosary again.
+
+After dinner, she determined to disregard the suggestion of the
+housekeeper to confine her playing to the daytime, and moving the
+machine somewhat nearer the window, played the song over three times in
+rapid succession. She had just begun to rewind the clockwork for a
+fourth time when there was a loud knocking at the door, and Dr. Hartmann
+entered hastily in response to her rather frightened "Come in."
+
+He was scowling fiercely, and took no pains to conceal the fact that he
+was angry. "Miss Ellicott," he growled, "we cannot possibly permit you
+to play the instrument any longer. It annoys the other patients. I am
+surprised that my housekeeper did not inform you so at once. Several
+have already complained. I shall have to take it back to the library."
+He gathered up the instrument and started toward the door, then seemed
+for a moment to regret his brusqueness. "You will pardon me, I know, but
+it is quite out of the question. Good-evening." In a moment he had gone.
+
+Grace sat down and burst into tears. It was not the taking away of the
+phonograph which distressed her--she felt that if anything could be
+accomplished by its use, it had already been done--but the hopelessness
+of the whole situation.
+
+Nearly eighteen hours had elapsed, since she had stolen, half-fainting,
+from the sight of Richard's white and agonized face. Even Lablanche's
+assurances that Hartmann would do her husband no serious injury, failed
+to comfort her. The whole affair of the phonograph seemed trivial and
+useless. What message could the words of this song give him--what in
+fact could they mean to anyone, except a message of hopeless love?
+
+When the hour for going to bed had come, she threw herself, without
+undressing, on the bed, and lay sleepless, in the darkened room. The
+vision of Richard, as she had seen him, his face within the circle of
+light, the night before, tortured her incessantly. It seemed somehow so
+wrong, so cowardly of her, to lie here in comfort doing nothing to aid
+him who, in name at least, was united to her forever, and in love was
+more dear to her than her own soul. She could not sleep, and presently
+rose and sat at the window, her elbows resting upon the sill, gazing
+hungrily out at the little square brick building where she knew Richard
+lay confined.
+
+The hours of the night dragged along on leaden feet. Once she heard the
+closing of a door, and the sound of footsteps echoing faintly upon the
+cement floor of the lower corridor. Within the laboratory all seemed
+dark. Evidently the doctor was not there. Then she heard, through her
+half-opened door, noises of persons walking in the lower hallway of the
+main building and after that the sharp closing of a door. She concluded
+that Hartmann had gone into his office.
+
+The woman on duty in the hall sat in her chair, reading and yawning.
+After a time, Grace heard the faint ringing of her bell, and the woman,
+after consulting the indicator, began to descend the stairs with a
+surprised look upon her face. It seemed like a providential opportunity.
+She slipped quietly through the doorway and sped as swiftly as she could
+down the hall.
+
+She reached the door opening into the corridor, without hearing or
+seeing anything to cause her alarm, and passed through it unseen. As she
+closed it behind her, she fancied she heard someone walking quickly
+along the corridor beneath. The passageway in which she stood was in
+reality nothing but a covered bridge, a few feet wide, built for the
+sole purpose of providing a means of passing to the laboratory from the
+second floor of the main building. Beneath it, a similar passageway
+connected the ground floors of the two buildings.
+
+She realized that anyone in the corridor beneath her could readily hear
+her footsteps on the wooden floor above, and stood, hesitating, just
+inside the door, waiting until they should have passed. In a few
+moments, the sounds below ceased, and silence again reigned.
+
+With great timidity and caution, she began to walk toward the laboratory
+door. In the center of the corridor, and half way down its length, a
+single electric lamp shed a dim light on her path. She realized that if,
+by chance, anyone should be within the darkened laboratory, they could
+readily see her approaching, and therefore assumed once more the manner
+and bearing of a person walking in their sleep. She had passed the light
+in the middle of the corridor, and was nearing the darkened laboratory
+door, when suddenly she heard a faint click, and almost at once the
+laboratory was brilliantly illuminated.
+
+By the light which suddenly flashed upon her, she saw two figures
+standing in the open door of the laboratory, watching her intently. One
+of these figures was Dr. Hartmann, the other the tall blond man she had
+seen with him in the laboratory several nights before. But it was not
+the sudden appearance of the two watching figures which caused her heart
+to sink, and a cold perspiration to break out upon her forehead. The
+sudden rush of light upon the floor of the passageway had shown her
+something else--something far more strange and terrifying. As her gaze
+swept ahead, she saw that, for a space of some four or five feet, in
+front of the laboratory door, the wooden planking which constituted the
+floor of the passageway had been removed, and instead of the solid
+foot-way there yawned blackly an impassable opening, through which, in
+another moment, she would plunge headlong to the concrete floor of the
+corridor beneath.
+
+The sight filled her with dismay. She realized at once why Hartmann and
+his companion stood there watching her--why the section of flooring had
+been removed. He had evidently become suspicious of her movements, the
+night before, and had laid this trap to test her. If she was in truth
+walking in her sleep, she would, she supposed, walk fearlessly into the
+yawning gap before--if her somnambulism was a sham, a trick, she would
+hesitate, and her fraud be discovered.
+
+She did not know what to do, as step by step she approached that black
+and gaping hole. If she kept up her pretense, if she had sufficient
+courage to go ahead, of what would it avail Richard or Monsieur Lefevre,
+should she maintain her assumed character at the expense of a broken
+leg, or neck? On the other hand, to halt, to hold back, would be to
+destroy at once all chance of her being of any further service to her
+husband, and that, too, at a time when he most sorely needed her.
+
+These considerations flashed through her brain with the speed of light
+itself. She had scarcely taken half a dozen steps before she found
+herself upon the brink of the opening, and realized that the next step,
+if she took it, might be her last.
+
+Then she suddenly collapsed. The effort was too great--she sank
+helplessly upon the floor, her face buried in her arms, her whole body
+shaking with the force of her sobbing.
+
+In an instant Hartmann had sprung across the opening and grasped her by
+the wrist, while his companion was engaged in rapidly replacing over the
+gap the section of flooring which had been removed. Within a few moments
+the passageway was as it had been before, and the doctor was dragging
+her roughly into the laboratory.
+
+She did not cry out--there was no one from whom she could expect aid.
+She drew herself up and faced her captor with dry eyes and a face calm,
+though pale. "What do you mean, Dr. Hartmann," she demanded, steadily,
+"by treating me in this way?"
+
+He forced her into a chair. "Sit down, young woman," he said, gruffly.
+"I have a few questions to ask you."
+
+She did so, without protest, summoning to her aid all her powers of
+resistance and will. He should get nothing from her, she determined.
+
+"Why have you come into my house," he presently asked, glaring at her in
+anger, "under pretense of desiring medical treatment? What is it you
+want here?"
+
+She made no reply, gazing at him steadily--fearlessly.
+
+"What is this man Duvall to you?" he shouted. "Tell me, or it will be
+the worse for you both."
+
+Again she faced him, refusing to answer. Her resistance made him
+furious. "Your silence will profit you nothing," he went on. "You can do
+no further harm here, for I know your purpose. You are working with
+him--you are a detective--a spy, as he is. You pretend to be a
+somnambulist in order to carry out your ends. I suspected you long ago.
+Now I know. This man has robbed me of something that I am determined to
+have. What he has done with it--where it is concealed, I do not know,
+but I mean to have it--be sure of that. If you know--you had better
+confess, if you have any regard for his welfare."
+
+His words, his brutal manner, brought the tears to her eyes. She
+realized that she had but to say a few words, to save Richard from she
+knew not what fate, yet equally she knew that she could not say
+them--that he would not want her to say them. In her agitation she took
+a handkerchief from her dress and pressed it to her eyes.
+
+The man Mayer had been regarding her in silence throughout the whole
+scene. Suddenly he stepped forward and snatched the handkerchief from
+her hand. His quick eyes had detected a monogram in one corner of the
+bit of cambric, and with an air of triumph he held it beneath the light,
+examining it closely.
+
+Hartmann came to him. "What is it, Mayer?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+His assistant extended the handkerchief to him. Grace realized with a
+sinking heart that it was one of several she had herself embroidered
+during the weeks preceding her marriage. With what pride, she reflected,
+she had worked over the G and D, lovingly intertwined in one corner.
+"His wife!" she heard Hartmann cry, with a harsh laugh. "That explains
+everything. That was why he did not leave Brussels at once--he was
+waiting for her--he would not go without her." He turned to Grace with a
+new expression on his face. "So you are his wife, eh? Very well. Now we
+shall see whether or not you will tell me what I want to know. Your
+husband is confined in the room below us. This"--he indicated the small
+black box with wires attached--"is a device which I have constructed for
+producing certain light rays--light rays which have a marvelous power,
+both for curing, and producing disease. Look!" He held his powerful hand
+before her eyes. "This is what they did to me, before I discovered how
+to control them." She saw, stretching across the back of his hand and
+wrist, a broad red patch, like the scar remaining after a burn. "Now
+come here." He seized her by the wrist and dragged her toward the
+apparatus at the center of the room. "Look--in there." He indicated a
+short brass tube which rose from the center of the box, resembling the
+eyepiece of a microscope. "Look!"
+
+Grace bent over and applied her eye to the brass tube, then shrank back
+with an exclamation of horror. "Richard!" she screamed, then turned on
+Hartmann with the fury of a tigress. "Let him go--let him go--I say, or
+I will--" She realized her helplessness--the futility of her threats,
+and fell into the chair in a paroxysm of sobbing. Through the brass
+tube, and the powerful lens which focused the light rays upon the space
+below, she had seen Richard's face, white and drawn, within a disk of
+blinding light, and apparently so near to her that she could have
+reached out and touched it. In her momentary glance, she noted his
+reddened eyes, the tears which coursed from beneath their lids, the
+agony which distorted his countenance.
+
+"Now will you tell me what I ask?" cried Hartmann, triumphantly.
+
+Still she made no reply. Her heart was breaking, her suffering at the
+knowledge of his suffering made her faint and weak, but even now she
+could not bring herself to break the trust which Monsieur Lefevre had
+placed in her. She sat huddled up in the chair, shaking from head to
+foot with sobs.
+
+Hartmann saw that her resistance was as yet unbroken. "Take her arm,
+Mayer," he called out, as he seized her by one wrist. "Come along now.
+We'll see if a closer view will have any effect." He snatched up a broad
+leather strap from a shelf along the wall, then, with Mayer's
+assistance, half-led, half dragged her to the iron stairway in the
+corner. In a few moments they had paused before the door of the room
+where the detective lay confined. Hartmann threw it open and pushed
+Grace inside, while he and Mayer followed, closing the door behind them.
+
+For a moment Grace was dazzled by the brightness of the light cone, and
+the darkness of the remainder of the room. Then seeing Richard lying
+helpless on the floor before her, she threw herself to her knees, put
+her arms about his neck, and covered his face with kisses. "My
+darling--my poor boy!" she cried, as she bent over him, her shoulders
+shutting off from his tortured face the blinding rays of the light.
+"What have they done to you?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+
+Grace had remained upon her knees beside the prostrate figure of her
+husband but a moment, when she was torn away by Hartmann and his
+assistant, and before she realized their intention, the former had
+slipped about her waist the broad leather strap he had brought from the
+room above, and was busy securing it to an iron staple fixed in the wall
+at one side of the room. Then he stood back and surveyed the scene with
+a smile of satisfaction.
+
+"You see, Mayer," he observed, grimly, "my purpose. The wife sees the
+husband's suffering. If he refuses to speak, she will speak. One or the
+other will tell us what we want to know, of that you may be sure. Let us
+leave them to talk matters over." He and his man at once left the room,
+and in a few moments Grace heard their footsteps upon the floor of the
+laboratory above.
+
+"Richard," she cried, softly, "are you suffering very much?"
+
+"Never mind, dear," he said, trying vainly to turn his head so that he
+might see her. "What has happened--why have they brought you here?"
+
+She told him her story, brokenly, with many sobs. "I could not help it,
+Richard," she moaned. "I did my best. I could not help their finding out
+everything."
+
+"I know it, dear. You have done all you could. Is there any news from
+outside?"
+
+"None. They told me to play the phonograph to send you a message. Did
+you hear it?"
+
+"Yes, I heard, and understood."
+
+"Understood? Then you know something--you have some hope?"
+
+"I do not know. It may be, although I cannot see what to do now. I dare
+not tell you more than that--these scoundrels are undoubtedly listening
+in the room above."
+
+"Richard, what is that light? What is it they mean to do to you? Dr.
+Hartmann showed me his hand--it was all scarred and burned. He said it
+came from that." She looked toward the glowing cone of light with bitter
+anger.
+
+"I do not know--exactly. I am not sure. The agony of the thing is very
+great--it burns into my eyes--into my brain. Hartmann says it will
+produce insanity. I do not know whether this is true or not. I begin to
+feel that perhaps it may be--not that the light itself can produce it,
+but that inability to sleep, pain, nervous exhaustion, the constant
+glare and brilliance before my eyes--those things might cause a man to
+go insane, if they were kept up long enough."
+
+"But--he--he will not dare to do that."
+
+Duvall groaned, striving in vain to turn his head to one side. "He
+intends to keep me here, until I tell him where he can find the snuff
+box," he gasped.
+
+"Richard!" Grace fairly screamed out his name. "Then you must tell--you
+_must_! You cannot let yourself go mad--not even for Monsieur Lefevre."
+
+"I shall not tell--no matter what comes," he replied.
+
+"Then _I_ will. I refuse to let you suffer like this. I can't do it, I
+won't. If you do not speak, I shall. Oh, my God! Don't you see--I love
+you--I love you so--what do I care about this foolish snuff box? I want
+you--you--and I _won't_ let them take you away from me."
+
+"Grace, you shall not tell them."
+
+"I will."
+
+"I forbid it."
+
+"I cannot help it, Richard. I am ready to disobey you--if I must, to
+save your life. Even if you turn from me--afterward--I cannot help it. I
+refuse to let them go ahead with this thing."
+
+He groaned in desperation. "Please--please--my girl--listen to me. You
+must not speak. We must think of our duty to those who have trusted us.
+Wait, I implore you. Don't do this!"
+
+"I will. I have a duty to you which is greater than my duty to them. Dr.
+Hartmann!" she screamed. "I will tell everything--everything." She
+collapsed against the wall and sobbed as though her heart would break.
+
+In a few moments they heard Hartmann and Mayer descending the steps, and
+the door was thrown open.
+
+"Ah, so you have come to your senses, have you?" the doctor cried.
+"Well, what have you to say?"
+
+Grace raised her head. "If I tell you where the ivory snuff box is
+hidden," she said, "will you let my husband go?"
+
+"Yes. Your husband, and yourself, and the rat we've just caught sneaking
+around outside. He's up in the laboratory now. You can all take
+yourselves off as quickly as you like, when once the snuff box is in my
+hands. Now speak."
+
+"First, let my husband up."
+
+Hartmann went to the wall, and switching off the violet rays, turned on
+the electric lamp, then nodded to Mayer. "Unbind him," he said.
+
+Duvall staggered to his feet, half-blinded. As he did so, Hartmann
+turned to Grace. "Speak!" he commanded. "We are wasting time."
+
+Before Grace could reply, Duvall turned to her.
+
+"I forbid you," he cried. "If you do this thing, I will never see you
+again as long as I live. You are destroying my honor. I refuse to let
+you do it. Stop!"
+
+The girl hesitated, and Hartmann swore a great oath. "Take her out of
+here, Mayer," he cried. "She'll never speak, as long as her husband is
+present to dissuade her. Up with her to the laboratory. She'll talk
+there, quick enough."
+
+"No!" Duvall staggered toward her. "You shall not." His movements were
+slow and uncertain, due to the blinding pain in his eyes, and his
+stiffened, nerve-racked limbs. Hartmann pushed him aside angrily. "Be
+quiet," he growled. "Let the woman alone."
+
+Meanwhile Hartmann's companion had torn away the strap which bound Grace
+to the wall and was leading her to the door. Her husband's efforts to
+detain her, weak and uncertain, were easily frustrated by Hartmann. In a
+few moments the door had swung shut upon the detective, and she was
+being led up the steps to the room above.
+
+Here she fell into a chair, and looking about, saw huddled on a couch in
+the far corner of the room a little, bent old man, who sat with his
+white head bowed upon his breast, his hands tied behind his back.
+Hartmann went over to him and unfastened his bonds. "You will be happier
+in a moment, my friend," he laughed. "This lady is going to set you
+free."
+
+Dufrenne--for it was he--sprang to his feet. "How?" he demanded. "How?"
+As he spoke, he crossed the room, his eyes gleaming, and faced Grace as
+she sat in the chair.
+
+"Wait and see, old man," said Hartmann, roughly. "Stand aside, please."
+He pushed Dufrenne impatiently away. "Now, young woman, where is the
+ivory snuff box?"
+
+Grace raised her head to reply, when the little old Frenchman turned to
+her, pale with anger. "No!" he shouted, starting forward. "You shall not
+do this thing. Would you be a traitor to France!"
+
+Grace looked at him and shuddered. His face was quivering with
+emotion--his eyes burned with piercing brightness, he seemed about to
+spring at her, in his rage. In a moment Hartmann had turned on him. "Be
+quiet!" he roared. "I want no interference from you. Mayer!" He pointed
+a trembling forefinger at the old Frenchman. "Take this fellow away."
+
+Mayer took Dufrenne by the arm and twisted it cruelly. "No nonsense,
+now!" he growled, thrusting the old man toward the couch upon which he
+had been sitting. "Hold your tongue, or it will be worse for you."
+Dufrenne resisted him as best he could, but his age and feebleness
+rendered him helpless. He sank upon the couch, with tears of anger
+starting to his eyes.
+
+Grace dared not look at him. The enormity of the thing she was about to
+do appalled her. Yet there was Richard, her husband; Richard, whom she
+loved with all her soul, in the room below, facing madness, death. The
+love she felt for him overmastered all other considerations. She turned
+to Hartmann with quivering face. "The box is in the room below," she
+cried, in a voice shaking with emotion.
+
+"_Mon Dieu--mon Dieu!_" she heard Dufrenne gasp, as he started from the
+couch. "You have ruined us all."
+
+Hartmann and Mayer gazed at each other incredulously. "Impossible!" the
+former gasped. "Impossible!" Then he turned to Grace. "Girl, are you
+telling me the truth?"
+
+She nodded, bowing her head upon her hands. She could not trust herself
+to speak.
+
+"Where? Where in that room could it be hidden? Tell me!" he shook her
+angrily by the arm. "Haven't we wasted enough time over this thing?"
+
+Still she made no reply. Now that she had told them, a sudden revulsion
+swept over her. She hated herself for what she had done, hated Hartmann,
+hated Monsieur Lefevre for placing her in this cruel situation.
+
+Hartmann dragged her roughly to her feet. "If the box is in the room
+below, come with me and find it."
+
+He hurried her toward the staircase. "Come along, Mayer," he called over
+his shoulder. "Bring that fellow with you. It won't be safe to leave
+him." As she descended the steps, Grace heard the other two close behind
+her. The Frenchman staggered along like a man in a daze, offering no
+resistance.
+
+When they burst into the room in which Duvall was confined, they found
+the latter standing beneath the electric lamp, a look of determination
+upon his face. He regarded them steadily, in spite of his reddened and
+burning eyes.
+
+Hartmann paid little attention to him. He was too greatly interested in
+the movements of Grace. "Now," he said, "where is it? You say the snuff
+box is here--in this room. Find it."
+
+She hesitated, looking at her husband pitifully. What would he think of
+her? Would he, too, regard her as a traitor, a weak and contemptible
+creature, forever barred from love and respect, false to her duty, her
+honor? His face told her nothing. He was regarding her impassively. She
+remembered now that he had said that he would never see her again if she
+disobeyed him. Then she turned away, her mind made up. She would save
+him, come what might. He had told her that the box was hidden in an
+opera hat, in one corner of the room. She glanced about quickly, trying
+to discover its whereabouts in one of the dark corners.
+
+Duvall saw her intention. He took a step forward, and addressed
+Hartmann. "You have forced this girl, through her love for me, to betray
+a great trust. I prefer that, if anyone here is to become a traitor, it
+shall be myself." He thrust his hand into the pocket of his coat, and
+extended a round white object toward the astonished doctor. "Here is the
+snuff box."
+
+Dufrenne, for the moment left unguarded by Mayer, sprang forward with a
+fierce cry. "No--no--no!" he screamed. "You shall not--you shall not."
+
+"Out of my way!" exclaimed the doctor, brushing the old man aside as
+easily as though the latter had been a child. With eager hands he took
+the box, and going to the light, bent over it. As he saw the pearls, the
+cross, his face lit up with delight. "This is it, Mayer. Just as the
+valet described it." He gave the ring of pearls a swift turn, then
+pressed immediately upon the larger one of the circle and slid the top
+of the ivory cross to one side. Duvall, who was watching him with
+interest, concluded that from some source, probably through Monsieur de
+Grissac's dead servant, Dr. Hartmann had learned thoroughly the secret
+of the box.
+
+With a cry of satisfaction the latter drew out from the tiny recess the
+slip of folded paper, glanced at the row of numbers written upon it,
+then passed it over to Mayer. The latter nodded his head. "Now we are
+all right," he muttered. "This is easily worth a million francs."
+
+"Money doesn't measure its value, my friend," the doctor remarked,
+gravely, as he replaced the slip of paper beneath the cross and put the
+box carefully into his pocket.
+
+During these few moments, Dufrenne had been observing the doctor with
+bulging eyes. Suddenly he turned on the detective. "May the good God
+curse you and your woman for this," he cried, hoarsely, "until the day
+of your death. May He turn all men against you, and make your name a
+despised and dishonored one forever. You have been false to your
+duty--false to France. You are a traitor, a contemptible dog of a
+traitor, and you deserve to die." His whole body shook with passion as
+he poured the fury of his wrath upon the man before him.
+
+Duvall sank weakly against the packing case behind him. Suffering, lack
+of sleep and food, the burning pain in his eyes and brain, threatened to
+overcome him. "Let me alone," he gasped. "I am so tired, so very tired!"
+He almost fell as he uttered the words and indeed would have done so had
+Grace not gone quickly up to him and passed her arm lovingly about his
+shoulders. Turning to Dufrenne, she regarded him with a look of
+defiance. "He is not guilty!" she cried. "It is I--I!--who have been
+false. I made him do it--I made him do it. Go away, and tell the others
+what you please. I know that my husband has done his best." She fell to
+soothing him, kissing him upon his hot forehead, his burning cheeks.
+
+Dufrenne looked at Dr. Hartmann, who was regarding the scene before him
+with impatience. "Do I understand, monsieur," he asked, in a ghastly
+voice, "that I am free to leave this place?"
+
+"Yes. Out with you. I could hold you for trespass upon my grounds, for
+attempting to break into my house, but I don't want to be bothered with
+you. Go!" He went to the door and held it open. "Mayer," he said, "show
+this fellow the road. And as for you"--he turned to Duvall and his
+wife--"get away from here, and from Brussels, as soon as you like. I
+advise you not to stay in the town. I rather think that, through the
+evidence of Seltz, I can make it slightly uncomfortable for you. Tell
+what story you please. I have done you no injury. You came here of your
+own free will--you could have escaped and you would not. As for the
+light--" He laughed harshly. "An ordinary arc, focused on your eyes with
+a powerful lens. It would probably have blinded you, in time, and if it
+kept you awake long enough, you would no doubt have gone mad, but so far
+you are not hurt much. I can swear that it is part of my new treatment
+for a disordered mental state. My man here will agree with me. What are
+you going to do about it? How are you going to explain your robbery of
+Seltz in my office, the deception your wife has practised upon me and
+upon the United States Minister? And above all, now that I have the
+secret I desired, I am quite willing to have a cast made of the snuff
+box and return it to you, but I fancy that neither Monsieur de Grissac
+nor my friend Lefevre will want to have the matter made public in the
+courts. You'd better leave here quietly and take the first steamer to
+America. I don't fancy you'll find a very flattering reception awaiting
+you in Paris." He turned to the door. "Come, I'll have your belongings
+put on a cab, and be glad to be rid of you." He paused beside the
+doorway, waiting.
+
+Grace turned to her husband. "Come, Richard," she said. "Let us go."
+
+He made no reply, but followed her blindly. His spirits seemed broken,
+he walked like a man in a heavy sleep.
+
+It was just dawn when, half an hour later, Richard Duvall and his wife
+drove silently through the ghostly streets of Brussels toward the
+railway station. The detective did not speak. He sat silent, plunged in
+a deep stupor. Grace, her heart breaking, held one of his hands, and
+with white face, gazed helplessly out of the window at the city, just
+waking to another day. To all these people the dawn came with some
+measure of hope, of happiness, but to her, and to her husband, now once
+more beginning their honeymoon, the future seemed full of bitterness and
+despair. She shivered in the cold morning air, and the tears she could
+not repress stole unheeded down her cheeks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+
+It was not until they had reached the railway station that Richard
+Duvall roused himself from the stupor in which he had sat ever since he
+and his wife had driven away from Dr. Hartmann's. When their baggage had
+been deposited on the platform, under the care of a solicitous porter,
+and the cabman had been paid and gone his way, Grace asked her husband
+concerning their destination. "Shall we go to Antwerp?" she said,
+listlessly. "We can get a steamer there, or cross to England." She
+awaited his reply without interest. It seemed to matter very little
+where they went, now.
+
+Duvall turned to the waiting porter. "When is the next train for Paris?"
+he asked. The man answered at once, glancing at the clock in the
+waiting-room. "In forty minutes, monsieur. You will have time for rolls
+and coffee."
+
+"Paris!" exclaimed Grace, in much surprise. "Why should we go to Paris,
+dear? I don't care about the things I left there. We can telegraph for
+them. Oh, Richard, I can't go back and face Monsieur Lefevre now." She
+looked eagerly at his face, but its expression told her nothing. "I must
+make my report to the Prefect," he answered. "It is my duty."
+
+Over their simple breakfast he was uncommunicative. "Don't worry, dear,"
+he said, once, when she had plied him with questions, attempted to
+change his decision by arguments. "I cannot afford to run away. Monsieur
+Lefevre has given me a duty to perform, and I must at least tell my
+story. After that, we can go to America, but not now."
+
+She could get no more out of him, and with tears in her eyes, followed
+him to the compartment in the Paris train which the porter had secured
+for them. There were few people traveling at this early hour. They had
+the compartment to themselves. Duvall rolled himself in his overcoat and
+lay down upon one of the seats. "I am very tired, dear," he told her. "I
+have suffered a frightful strain. My eyes hurt so that I can scarcely
+see. I am sick for want of sleep. There is a hard task before me, when I
+get to Paris. I must have a little rest." He turned his face away from
+the light, and lay quiet, breathing heavily.
+
+Grace sat huddled up in a corner of the opposite seat, watching him, a
+great tenderness in her eyes. After all, she thought, he was her
+husband, the man she loved, and if he had appeared to act the part of a
+traitor to his cause, it was only because she, by her weakness, her love
+for him, had forced him to do so. At the last moment he had thought of
+her--his one thought had been to save her from disgrace and dishonor. He
+had assumed the blame, for he had given up the snuff box of his own free
+will. Had he allowed her to do so, he could have preserved his own name,
+his own honor, clear of all accusation or stain. It made her love him
+doubly, that he had thus stepped into the breach at the last moment and
+taken upon himself the guilt which she knew belonged in reality upon
+her.
+
+As she sat there, conscious only of the flying trees outside the car
+windows, the clicking of the wheels upon the rails, and the low
+breathing of her husband on the seat before her, her mind went forward
+into the future, and the prospect made her shudder. In Paris she knew
+what manner of welcome awaited them. Monsieur Lefevre would turn from
+them both, as he would not turn from the vilest criminal.
+
+Their names would be held up to scorn, in official circles at least. If
+the public ever came to know of the affair, she knew they would have
+reason to fear for their very safety.
+
+As to the results of her act, as to what the secret of the lost snuff
+box was, that made Hartmann declare its value to be priceless, she could
+not even guess. That it must have some diplomatic, some international
+significance, she fully believed, else why should Monsieur Lefevre have
+declared that the honor of France was involved? And if so--if the
+possession of the secret by Hartmann, and thus by the foreign country,
+whichever one it might be, of which he was probably an agent, did result
+in complications of a vast and terrible nature, involving possibly war,
+or loss of national honor and prestige, how could either she or her
+husband ever again hope to hold up their heads, to find any joy and
+happiness in life?
+
+Of course, there was America, and home, but even there the secret would
+in time become known, and Richard would find that those who had been his
+friends in high places would turn from him, trusting in his honor, his
+integrity, no longer. Even, she realized, if the affair did not become
+known, at home, it would stand forever between them, a black and
+grinning shadow, destroying confidence, happiness, even love itself. She
+had failed him--failed her husband--done what he had forbidden her to
+do, and he had sworn to leave her, to turn from her forever, if she
+disobeyed him. Would he do this, she wondered? Or would he understand
+that what she had done, had been for his sake, for the sake of her love
+for him?
+
+Presently she realized that the train was slackening its speed, and the
+houses which began to appear in increasing numbers outside the car
+windows told her that they were approaching a station. She looked at her
+railway folder and then consulted her watch. It was Manbenge, the point
+at which they left Belgium and entered France. The train drew noisily
+into the station, and was at once surrounded by the usual crowd of
+passengers, porters, railway and customs officials, and the like. Grace
+watched them idly, indifferently. Her only concern was that they should
+not wake her husband with their noisy chatter.
+
+Presently she saw a small, white-haired figure approaching the
+compartment door. At first she paid no attention to the man, supposing
+him to be a belated passenger. Then she was struck with a sudden
+familiarity in his appearance. She started back in alarm as she saw that
+it was Dufrenne, and that he was making straight for the compartment in
+which she sat, his face stern and angry. Behind him she observed two
+gendarmes, walking with their characteristic jerky stride.
+
+Dufrenne had been a mystery to her. Until their meeting in Dr.
+Hartmann's laboratory that morning, she had never seen him. She had
+felt, from his words, that he, too, was of Monsieur Lefevre's staff, a
+member of the secret police, but that he was no friend of Richard's or
+of hers, she very well knew. She drew back further into the dim corner
+of the compartment, hoping that he would not recognize her.
+
+Her hopes, however, were in vain. Dufrenne threw open the door of the
+carriage, which had previously been unlocked by the guard, and followed
+by his men, entered the compartment. "Here is the fellow," he cried,
+angrily, pointing to Duvall. "Arrest him."
+
+Grace sprang forward, and stood between the men and her husband, who
+slept on, unconscious of the noise about him. "No--no!" she cried, in a
+tense whisper. "Let him alone. You shall not touch him." In her
+desperation she drew from the bosom of her dress a small revolver which
+she had carried ever since she left Paris. "Keep away, I tell you. You
+shall not arrest my husband."
+
+Dufrenne confronted her with an angry gesture. "You fool!" he cried. "Do
+you dare to disobey this?" He held before her eyes a silver ring, inlaid
+with gold, similar to the one she wore about her own neck. "I am a
+member of the secret police, as you know. This man is a traitor to his
+duty, and for that he shall be punished. Arrest him," he said again to
+his men.
+
+Grace recoiled, and dropped the revolver she held to the floor. In all
+her dread of the future, this was something upon which she had not
+counted. Her husband arrested--possibly shot, or condemned to spend
+years in some frightful military prison. She thought of Devil's Island,
+where Dreyfus had been confined, and the horror of the situation
+overcame her. Unable to resist longer, she sank upon the seat and burst
+into tears.
+
+The two gendarmes awakened Duvall roughly, and after informing him that
+he was a prisoner, sat grimly down on either side of him. Dufrenne took
+the seat beside Grace. The train had again begun to move--she realized
+that they were once more flying toward Paris.
+
+At first Duvall, in his stupor of sleep, did not realize what had
+happened, but in a few moments he had grasped the situation. He did not
+seem greatly concerned at his arrest, and Grace, her first paroxysm of
+weeping having passed, looked at him in surprise. How brave he is! she
+thought. Once she caught his eyes, but he made no sign. Apparently he
+was resigned to his fate.
+
+Dufrenne turned to her presently. "You, madame, are also under arrest,"
+he remarked coldly.
+
+"You have no right to do this thing," she exclaimed. "We have done the
+best we could."
+
+"No!" cried the little old Frenchman, his bent shoulders straightening,
+his eyes flashing until he became a stern and vengeful figure. "No! You
+have not done the best you could. Brave men--and brave women, die at
+their posts of duty. You are cowards, both of you. Had I been in your
+place, do you think I would have given in--do you think I would have
+sold the honor of my country! _Mon Dieu!_ It is incredible! I am a
+Frenchman, madame, and I have fought for France. I value my life as
+nothing, where her welfare is concerned. I would have died a thousand
+times, died as Frenchmen die, with '_Vive La France_,' on my lips,
+before I would have uttered so much as a single word."
+
+She made no reply to this. In his anger, the fragile old man seemed
+inspired with the very spirit of patriotism, his withered cheeks took on
+new color, his sunken eyes a new brightness. She felt ashamed--not for
+Richard, for he had spoken only when she had forced him to do so, but
+for herself. The guilt was hers. She was glad that she, too, was
+arrested, that she might have a chance to go before Monsieur Lefevre and
+take upon her shoulders the dishonor which she knew belonged there.
+Silent, she shrank back into her corner, not daring to look up.
+
+"Monsieur Dufrenne," she heard Richard saying, quietly, "be so good as
+to remember that it was I, not my wife, who gave the snuff box to
+Hartmann. You have seen fit to place me under arrest. Very well, I will
+tell my story to Monsieur Lefevre and abide by his decision. But
+meanwhile, I beg that you will treat my wife with courtesy and respect.
+She has had a very trying and terrible experience and I do not wonder
+that she is unnerved. You may not know it, monsieur, but we were married
+but five days ago, and this--" he glanced about the compartment with a
+sad smile--"this, monsieur, is our honeymoon."
+
+The Frenchman sank back, all his anger swept away. "It is pitiful,
+monsieur, pitiful," he said, quietly. "Yet in what I now do, I am but
+doing my duty." He turned to Grace. "Madame, I feel for you in your
+suffering. You acted through love. Of that I am sure. But there is a
+greater love than that of woman for man--the love of country. That is
+the only love I understand." He turned away and sat for a long while
+gazing out of the window.
+
+In what seemed to Grace a very short time, they reached Paris, and here
+she and Richard were conducted to a taxicab and soon found themselves at
+the Prefecture.
+
+Dufrenne left them, to announce his arrival to Monsieur Lefevre, and she
+and her husband sat in an anteroom, closely guarded, waiting until the
+time should arrive for them to be summoned before the Prefect.
+
+The detective was still silent and preoccupied. He said little, but from
+the caressing way in which he placed his hand upon hers, bidding her
+cheer up, Grace knew that his love for her, at least, was left to her.
+"Oh, Richard," she said, softly, turning her face to his, "I am so
+sorry, so sorry! But I could not let you suffer, dear, for I love you--I
+love you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+
+It was characteristic of Monsieur Etiènne Lefevre, Prefect of Police of
+Paris, that when he had once placed a case in the hands of one of his
+men, he rarely ever interfered in any way with the latter's conduct of
+it. Reports of progress he did not desire, nor encourage. Success was
+the only report that he asked, and by thus throwing his subordinates
+upon their own responsibility, he obtained from them far better results
+than would have been the case had he kept in constant touch with their
+movements.
+
+Hence when he dispatched Richard Duvall, and Monsieur Dufrenne, the
+little curio dealer of the _Rue de Richelieu_, to London, and the
+former's wife and later on Lablanche to Brussels, he felt that he had
+done all that it was possible to do, to secure the recovery of Monsieur
+de Grissac's stolen snuff box.
+
+He did not, it is true, dismiss the matter from his mind--it was,
+indeed, of too grave and sinister a character to be treated thus
+lightly, but he had the utmost confidence in Duvall, and believed that
+the latter would without doubt succeed in his quest.
+
+Since Duvall's departure, he had waited anxiously for the detective's
+appearance. He did not expect to hear from him, but felt convinced that
+within the next day or two he would walk into his office with the
+missing snuff box in his pocket.
+
+It was with some dismay, therefore, that he received, on the fourth day,
+a sudden visit from Dufrenne. The latter had been released, the day
+before, by the Brussels police, after a most uncomfortable night in a
+cell, an experience for which he knew he had Hartmann to thank, and in
+desperation had decided to place the condition of affairs before his
+chief.
+
+The latter had heard him in silence, and then followed a long
+conference, with the result that Dufrenne returned to Brussels, bearing
+the mysterious message subsequently given to Grace by Lablanche, to play
+_The Rosary_ upon the phonograph.
+
+Since then, the Prefect had been in a state of profound agitation,
+although he carefully concealed the fact from his subordinates. The
+gravity of the issues at stake tortured him ceaselessly, and to add to
+his discomfort, Monsieur de Grissac arrived from London, determined to
+ascertain what progress, if any, had been made toward the recovery of
+his lost property.
+
+He was bitterly disappointed to find that Lefevre was unable to give him
+the slightest encouragement. The box had not, he believed, passed into
+the hands of their enemies, but beyond that he could say nothing.
+
+It was on the day of the Ambassador's arrival that Dufrenne appeared at
+the Prefecture a second time, his face pale and haggard, his eyes
+bloodshot and sunken from loss of sleep, his whole manner indicating
+that he had lately passed through some terrible experience. De Grissac
+was closeted with the Prefect at the time, but the man's appearance, his
+urgent request that he see Monsieur Lefevre at once, gained him an
+immediate audience.
+
+The Prefect and the Ambassador stood awaiting his entrance, their faces
+tense with anxiety. The expression upon the old man's countenance
+confirmed their worst fears. He staggered into the room, grasping the
+back of a chair to support himself. "He has given it up--the
+scoundrel--the traitor; he has given it up, to save himself and his
+wife."
+
+The Ambassador turned away with a groan of despair. Lefevre stepped up
+to Dufrenne. "You mean to tell me," he cried, "that Richard Duvall has
+proven false to his duty? I cannot believe it."
+
+Dufrenne nodded. "He gave it to Hartmann last night. I saw him do it.
+Hartmann had promised to let him go free. They had been torturing him,
+in some way, I do not know how. It was the woman who weakened first. The
+man--Duvall--gave up the box to save her from doing so."
+
+"Then she knew where it was?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+The Prefect went over to the window and looked out over the Seine. His
+emotions almost overcame him. The loss of the box--Duvall's
+faithlessness--his own failure, all plunged him into the deepest
+despair. "_Mon Dieu!_" he muttered to himself. "Duvall--it is
+incredible!"
+
+Suddenly he turned. The Ambassador had begun to question Dufrenne. "What
+did this Dr. Hartmann do, when the box was given to him?" he asked in a
+voice trembling with excitement.
+
+"He pressed the large pearl, pushed aside the cross, and removed the
+paper that was hidden beneath it. He read the paper. It contained
+nothing but a row of numbers. I saw it as he held it beneath the light."
+
+De Grissac became as white as chalk, and turning to Lefevre, cried out,
+in a broken voice, "It is all over. Nothing can be done now. It is too
+late. _Mon Dieu!_ What will become of France?"
+
+"Where is Duvall?" cried the Prefect, suddenly. "I must see him. He is
+not the man to do such a thing as this. I must talk to him. Do not tell
+me that he has run away."
+
+"No, monsieur. He is outside, he and his wife. I have placed them both
+under arrest."
+
+"Were they attempting to escape?"
+
+"No, monsieur. They were coming to Paris."
+
+"At least," the Prefect remarked, mournfully, "he is not cowardly enough
+for that. Bring him here--bring them both here at once. I must question
+them."
+
+Dufrenne turned to the door. "In a moment, monsieur, they will be before
+you."
+
+"What can it avail now?" said De Grissac, sadly.
+
+"We shall see. I never condemn a man without a hearing." As he spoke,
+Duvall and Grace came into the room.
+
+The Prefect looked at his young assistant with an expression both grave
+and sad. He had always been very fond of Duvall--he was fond of him
+still. The whole matter had hurt him very deeply.
+
+"Monsieur Duvall," he said, without further preliminaries, "Monsieur
+Dufrenne tells me that you, after recovering Monsieur de Grissac's snuff
+box from Dr. Hartmann, deliberately returned it to him last night, in
+order to secure your liberty and that of your wife. Is this true?"
+
+"Yes." Duvall's voice was calm, even, emotionless. "It is true."
+
+Lefevre recoiled as though he had received a blow. "Can you dare to come
+before me, and tell me such a thing as that?"
+
+"It was my fault, Monsieur Lefevre," cried Grace, going up to him.
+"Richard begged me not to tell--commanded me not to tell, but they were
+torturing him--they were driving him mad. Oh, I could not stand it--I
+could not!"
+
+"You should have considered your duty, madame, not your husband,"
+remarked the Prefect, coldly, then turned to Duvall.
+
+"Young man," he said, "you have done a terrible thing--perhaps even now,
+you do not realize how terrible a thing. I regret that I did not inform
+you at the time I placed the case in your hands, but the matter is one
+which, at all costs, I wished to have remain a secret. Now it makes
+little difference. Monsieur de Grissac has for many months been carrying
+on with the Foreign Office a correspondence regarding the relations of
+France and England in the matter of Morocco. Many details of action have
+been settled which, in the event of certain eventualities, would
+constitute the joint policy of the two nations. I need hardly say that
+these details and policies are of such a nature as to cause, if known,
+an immediate declaration of war by the third nation involved. This
+correspondence, Monsieur de Grissac, unwilling to trust to the ordinary
+cipher in use for such purposes, carried on in a code of his own; one
+which he regarded as absolutely proof against all attempts at solution.
+That desperate attempts to obtain copies of the correspondence would be
+made he well knew, and in spite of all precautions, our enemies, by
+bribing a subordinate, did, some time ago, manage to secure copies of
+many of the most important letters and documents. Their attempts at
+reading them, however, were fruitless. Without the cipher, and its key,
+they could do nothing.
+
+"How they ultimately learned that the key and the cipher were contained
+in the ivory snuff box, we do not know. Perhaps through Noël, the
+Ambassador's servant, although Monsieur de Grissac is positive that he
+never, under any circumstances, made use of the cipher in the presence
+of a third person. That they did learn the whereabouts of the cipher,
+however, we now realize only too well. When I told you that in the
+missing snuff box lay not only my honor, but the honor of France, I
+indulged in no extravagant statements. It is the solemn truth. Even now,
+by means of the snuff box and key which you have delivered to them, our
+enemies have no doubt read the stolen documents, and are preparing to
+strike while we are as yet unprepared." He strode up and down the room
+in a state of extreme excitement. "As a last desperate chance, I
+attempted to send you a message by means of the phonograph record. I
+hoped you might, in this way, learn the secret of the box, and by
+destroying the key, render it useless. If you hesitated to do this,
+fearing that, should Hartmann discover the key was missing he would
+refuse to liberate you, you are worse than a traitor. You are a
+contemptible coward. Let me tell you, Monsieur Duvall, if I had a son, I
+should rather have struck him dead at my feet, than have had him fail me
+in a crisis like this."
+
+Grace began to weep, hysterically. "It was all my fault," she began. "I
+told them the box was hidden in the room below, against my husband's
+wishes."
+
+"Where were you, then, that you say 'in the room below?'" asked Lefevre
+suddenly.
+
+"In the laboratory, on the second floor. My husband was confined in the
+basement. I said I would tell--for they were killing him. He cried out
+to me--forbidding me to do so. Then they took me away to the room
+above."
+
+"And left your husband alone, with the snuff box in his possession?"
+demanded the Prefect, sternly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For how long?"
+
+"About--about ten minutes," she replied, wondering at his question.
+
+"And you," exclaimed the Prefect, in a voice of fury, turning on Duvall,
+"were left alone in this room, with the snuff box in your possession,
+for ten minutes, at the end of which time you calmly turned it over to
+this fellow Hartmann. _Mon Dieu!_ Why did you not destroy it--crush it
+under your heel--anything, to prevent our enemies from obtaining
+possession of it?" He looked at Duvall, his face working convulsively.
+"You--you are a--_sacré bleu!_--I cannot tell you what I think of you."
+
+"Monsieur de Grissac," asked Duvall, his face white, "had I destroyed
+the box, or even only the key, could you have read these documents
+yourself?"
+
+The Ambassador gazed at him, puzzled for a moment. "Certainly not,
+monsieur," he replied. "I could no more have solved the cipher than they
+could. It was for that reason that I was forced to carry the key about
+with me. But it would have been infinitely better, had the documents
+never again been read, than to have them read by our enemies."
+
+Without making any reply, Duvall placed his hand in his pocket and drew
+out, between his thumb and forefinger, a tiny white pellet, no larger
+than the head of a match. "You are no doubt acquainted, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he said, coolly, "with your own handwriting."
+
+"My handwriting! Naturally. What of it?" He went toward the detective,
+an eager look in his face. Lefevre, Dufrenne, and Grace also crowded
+about, their expressions showing the interest which Duvall's questions
+had aroused.
+
+The detective began to unroll the little white pellet with the utmost
+deliberation. It presently became a tiny strip of tissue paper, not over
+two and a half inches long, upon which was written a series of numbers.
+"Is that, then, your handwriting, monsieur?" he inquired carelessly, as
+he placed the strip of paper in De Grissac's trembling hand.
+
+"_Mon Dieu!_ The key!" fairly shouted the Ambassador, as his eyes fell
+upon the bit of paper. "Monsieur Duvall, what does this mean?"
+
+"It means, monsieur," replied the detective, coolly, "that while I was
+left alone in the room downstairs, I tore off the lower half of your
+key, which luckily, was a sufficient width to enable me to do so, and
+with a fountain pen I had in my pocket, wrote upon this second slip of
+paper a series of numbers taken at random. This series I placed in the
+secret recess in the box. I do not think it will prove of much use to
+our friends in Brussels."
+
+"Duvall!" cried Lefevre, rushing forward with outstretched hands.
+"Forgive me--forgive me!" He was not quick enough, however, to forestall
+Grace, who with one cry of happiness had flung herself into her
+husband's arms. "Richard!" she cried, and then sank sobbing but happy
+upon his breast.
+
+Monsieur Lefevre seized his assistant by the arm and began to shake his
+hand in a way which almost threatened to dislocate the young man's
+shoulder. "My boy," he cried, laughing and crying at the same time,
+"forgive me--forgive me. I was hasty. I should have let you speak,
+first. God be praised, everything is well. De Grissac--think of it--they
+will puzzle their brains over that cipher for weeks and weeks and they
+will discover nothing--nothing! Is it not splendid!" He grasped the
+Ambassador's hand and embraced him with ardor. "Magnificent! Superb!"
+
+The Ambassador was no less overjoyed. "Young man," he said, "we owe you
+the deepest apologies. No one could have done better. I thank you from
+the bottom of my heart." Dufrenne also offered his congratulations. "My
+friend," he said, "I have done you a great injustice. I salute you, not
+only as a brave man, but as a very shrewd one. As for me, I fear I am
+only an old fool."
+
+Duvall patted the old man on the shoulder and smiled. "A patriot,
+monsieur, and for that I honor you. I was luckily able to turn the
+tables on these fellows. But one thing you, and all of you, gentlemen,
+should know. Had I not been able to substitute a false key for the real
+one, the latter would never have passed into Hartmann's hands, if I had
+died for it."
+
+"I know it, my friend. I was a fool, a dolt, even for one moment to
+doubt it. I ask your pardon, and that of madame, your wife," cried
+Lefevre, seizing Duvall's hands in his. Grace looked proudly at her
+husband, her knowledge of her own weakness forgotten in the triumph that
+he had won.
+
+"And now, monsieur," said Duvall, with a look of happiness in his face
+as he caught his wife's glance, "with your permission, Mrs. Duvall and
+myself will begin once more our interrupted honeymoon."
+
+The Prefect put his arm about the detective's shoulder, and gave him an
+affectionate hug. "My poor children," he cried, smiling at Grace. "In my
+excitement, my happiness, I had completely forgotten that you are only
+just married. And such a honeymoon as you have had. It is indeed
+shameful, and the fault is mine--mine alone. But I shall make amends, my
+children. You have rendered both me, and France, a great service, and I
+do not forget it. I insist that to-night you shall dine with me. You, De
+Grissac," he exclaimed, turning to the Ambassador, "will, I know, be one
+of the party. And it is not alone for the purpose of dining that I ask
+you, your service to France shall be acknowledged in a more substantial
+way. Monsieur de Grissac and myself will have the honor to present to
+you, Monsieur Duvall, and to your charming bride, some tokens of our
+gratitude and esteem. After that--go--enjoy your happiness. You have
+earned it." He glanced at his watch. "Madame, you are fatigued. You need
+rest--sleep. I insist that you permit me to send you to my house, where
+Madame Lefevre will have the honor to receive you, and make you
+comfortable. You, Duvall, can in the meantime make your arrangements for
+leaving Paris to-night, and also secure your baggage from the _pension_
+in the _Rue Lubeck_ where it awaits you. I myself will accompany you,
+and render you any assistance in my power; we will then rejoin your wife
+at my house, where Monsieur de Grissac will meet us in time for dinner.
+What do you say?"
+
+Grace clung to her husband's arm. "I'm afraid to leave him, even for a
+minute," she said.
+
+Duvall pressed her hand, and noted her swollen eyes, her white and drawn
+cheeks. "You have had a terrible night, dear," he said, kissing her,
+"and you must have a few hours' rest. Go to Monsieur Lefevre's house,
+and lie down and sleep for a little while. You are so nervous you can
+scarcely stand. I will not be long."
+
+She gave his arm a little squeeze, then turned to the Prefect. "I thank
+you, monsieur, and since my husband thinks it best, I will gladly go to
+your house at once. Good-by, Richard." She accompanied Monsieur Lefevre
+to the door.
+
+Two hours later, Duvall, having made all arrangements for leaving Paris
+for London that night, descended from the Prefect's automobile at the
+latter's house in the _Rue de Courcelles_. Within an hour they had been
+joined by Monsieur de Grissac and were all seated about Monsieur
+Lefevre's hospitable board. Everyone was in jubilant spirits, and in the
+happiness of the moment all the suffering of the past week was
+forgotten. De Grissac presented to the bride a magnificent diamond
+crescent, and to Duvall a gold cigarette-case of exquisite design and
+workmanship, while Monsieur Lefevre, not to be outdone, placed in
+Grace's hand a rare lace shawl which, he assured her, had been worn by a
+Marquise under the Empire. To Duvall he gave a seal ring, with the arms
+of France engraved upon a setting of jade. "It belonged to my father,"
+he said, simply. "With me it is a talisman; you will never ask any favor
+from me in vain."
+
+When M. Lefevre came at last to say good-by to Duvall and his wife,
+there were tears of real sorrow in his eyes. He had no children of his
+own, and the happiness of his two young friends had been his happiness
+as well. The thought that he might never see them again left him with a
+great sense of loneliness.
+
+"Good-by, my dear boy," he said, grasping Duvall's hand in both of his,
+as he stood beside the door of the automobile which was to take the
+happy pair to the railway station. "When you settle down upon that
+little farm in your own country, and raise the chickens, and the pigs,
+and, may I also venture to hope"--he smiled meaningly at Grace--"the
+children, do not forget your old friend Lefevre."
+
+Duvall pressed his hand, while Grace hid her blushes in the darkness of
+the cab.
+
+"I shall never forget, _monsieur_, that to you I owe the possession of
+the sweetest and best wife in the world. We shall meet again, I promise
+you."
+
+"Good! I shall hold you to the promise, _mon ami_. And if you do not
+keep it"--he pointed his finger impressively at the pair in the cab--"I
+shall send for you to assist me in the next difficult case which puzzles
+me, and _voilà_! The thing is done. You would not _dare_ to fail me,
+should I call upon you for assistance."
+
+He took Grace's hand and kissed it with old time courtliness, then
+slapped Duvall upon the shoulder.
+
+"Go now, my children. If you stay longer I shall be unable to restrain
+my tears."
+
+As the automobile turned the corner below, its occupants saw the old
+gentleman still standing on the sidewalk, gazing after them and waving
+his handkerchief in farewell.
+
+"Dear old Lefevre," said Duvall, as he drew Grace to him and kissed her.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Ivory Snuff Box, by Arnold Fredericks
+
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Ivory Snuff Box, by ARNOLD FREDERICKS.
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ivory Snuff Box, by Arnold Fredericks
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Ivory Snuff Box
+
+Author: Arnold Fredericks
+
+Release Date: August 30, 2009 [EBook #29852]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IVORY SNUFF BOX ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>THE IVORY SNUFF BOX</h1>
+
+<h2>BY ARNOLD FREDERICKS</h2>
+
+
+
+<h3>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP<br />
+PUBLISHERS  NEW YORK</h3>
+
+<h3>Copyright, 1912, by<br />
+W. J. WATT &amp; COMPANY</h3>
+
+<h3><i>Published October.</i></h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p>
+<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE IVORY SNUFF BOX</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+
+<p>The last thing that sounded in Richard Duvall's ears as he left the
+office of Monsieur Lefevre, Prefect of Police of Paris, were the
+latter's words, spoken in a voice of mingled confidence and alarm, "The
+fortunes of a nation may depend upon your faithfulness. Go, and God be
+with you." He entered the automobile which was drawn up alongside the
+curb, and accompanied by Vernet, one of the Prefect's assistants, was
+soon threading the torrent of traffic which pours through the <i>Rue de
+Rivoli</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The thoughts which lay uppermost in the detective's mind were of Grace,
+his wife; Grace Ellicott, who had become Grace Duvall but little more
+than an hour before. By this time he had expected to be on his way to
+Cherbourg, <i>en route</i> to New York, with Grace by his side. They had
+looked forward so happily to their honeymoon, on shipboard, and now&mdash;he
+found himself headed for London on this mysterious expedition, and Grace
+waiting for him in vain at the <i>pension</i>. The thought was maddening. He
+swore softly to himself as he looked out at the crowded street.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Lefevre had no right to ask so great a sacrifice of him, he
+grumbled. What if he had distinguished himself, made himself the
+Prefect's most valued assistant, during the past six or eight months?
+The matters which had brought him from New York to Paris had all been
+definitely concluded&mdash;Grace and he were married&mdash;his plans had all been
+made, to return to America, and home. Now at the last moment, it was
+frightfully exasperating to have Monsieur Lefevre insist that matters of
+so grave a nature had occurred, that the honor of his very country was
+at stake, and to call upon him, Duvall, as the one man who could set
+matters right. Of course, it was very flattering, but he wanted, not
+flattery, but Grace, and all the happiness which lay before them. What,
+after all, was this matter, this affair so vague and mysterious, into
+which he had so unexpectedly been thrown? He drew out the instructions
+which the Prefect had hurriedly thrust into his hands, and looked at
+them with eager curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>They covered but one side of a small sheet of paper. "Visit immediately
+number 87, <i>Rue de Richelieu</i>," they said. "It is a small curio shop.
+Monsieur Dufrenne, the proprietor, expects you, and will join you at
+once. Proceed without delay to London and report to Monsieur de Grissac,
+the French Ambassador. He has lost an ivory snuff box, which you must
+recover as quickly as possible. You will find money enclosed herewith.
+Monsieur Dufrenne you can trust in all things. God be with
+you.&mdash;Lefevre."</p>
+
+<p>It was the first time that Duvall had read the instructions. He had not
+had an opportunity to do so before. As he concluded his examination of
+them, his face hardened, his brow contracted in a frown, and he crushed
+the piece of paper in his hand. Was this some absurd joke that Monsieur
+Lefevre was playing upon him? The idea of separating him from Grace upon
+their wedding day, to send him on an expedition, the object of which was
+to recover a lost snuff box! It seemed preposterous. In his anger he
+muttered an exclamation which attracted the attention of Vernet. He was,
+in fact, on the point of stopping the automobile, and going at once to
+the <i>pension</i> where Grace was waiting for him, her trunks packed for
+their wedding journey. The impassive face of the Frenchman beside him
+relaxed a trifle, as he saw Duvall's agitation. "What is it, Monsieur
+Duvall?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know anything about this matter that makes it necessary for me
+to go to London?" demanded Duvall.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, monsieur, except that your train leaves&mdash;" he consulted his
+watch&mdash;"in twenty minutes."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall drew out a cigar and lit it, with a gesture of annoyance. "The
+matter does not appear very important," he grumbled.</p>
+
+<p>Vernet permitted a slight smile to cross his usually immobile face. "I
+have been in the service of the Prefect for ten years," he remarked,
+"and I have learned that he wastes very little time upon unimportant
+things." He leaned out and spoke to the chauffeur, and in a moment the
+car halted before a dingy little shop, on the lower floor of an old and
+dilapidated-looking house. "Here is the place of Monsieur Dufrenne," he
+remarked significantly.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall threw open the door of the cab, and entered the dusty and
+cobwebbed doorway. He found himself in a small dimly lighted room, so
+crowded with curios of all sorts that he at first did not perceive the
+little white-haired old man who bent over a jeweler's work bench in one
+corner. The walls were lined with shelves, upon which stood bits of
+ivory and porcelain, miniatures of all sorts, old pieces of silverware,
+bronze and copper, old coins, and rusty antique weapons. About the walls
+stood innumerable pictures, old and cracked, in dilapidated-looking
+frames, while from the ceiling were suspended bits of rusty armor,
+swords, brass censers, Chinese lamps, and innumerable other objects, the
+use of which he could scarcely guess.</p>
+
+<p>All these things he saw, in a queer jumble of impressions, as his eyes
+swept the place. In a moment the little old man in the corner turned,
+peering at him over his steel-rimmed spectacles. "You wish to see me,
+monsieur?" he inquired in a thin, cracked voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I am Richard Duvall. I come from Monsieur the Prefect of Police."</p>
+
+<p>The man at the workbench, on hearing these words, rose to his
+insignificant height, dropping as he did so the watch over which he had
+been working. He swept his tools into a drawer with a single gesture,
+turned to the wall behind him, drew on a thin gray overcoat and a dark
+slouch hat, and stepped from behind the counter. "I am ready, monsieur,"
+he remarked, without a trace of agitation or excitement. "Let us go."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall turned to the door without further words, and threw it open. The
+old man motioned to him to pass out, and after the detective had done
+so, closed and locked the door carefully and followed him into the cab.
+Duvall observed that he was frail, and uncertain in his steps, and so
+bent from constant labor over his bench, that he gave one almost the
+impression of being hunchbacked. He took his seat beside the detective
+without a word, and in a moment the whole party was being driven rapidly
+toward the <i>Gare du Nord</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall could not repress a feeling of admiration for the way in which
+Dufrenne had received him. He had asked no questions, delayed him by no
+preparations, but had merely thrown down his tools, put on his hat, and
+started out. The importance or lack of importance of the matters which
+called him he did not inquire into&mdash;it was evidently quite enough, that
+Monsieur Lefevre desired his services. It made the detective feel
+somewhat ashamed of his recent ill nature, yet he could not but remember
+that this was his wedding day, and that in leaving his wife without even
+so much as a farewell word, he had given her good reason for doubting
+his love for her. Of course, he knew, the Prefect had assured him that
+he would explain everything to Grace, but such explanations were not
+likely to appeal very strongly to a girl who had been married but little
+more than an hour. It was, therefore, in a very dissatisfied frame of
+mind that he entered the compartment of the train for Boulogne.</p>
+
+<p>The compartment was a smoking one, and he and Dufrenne had it all to
+themselves. The little old Frenchman drew out a much-stained meerschaum
+pipe and began placidly to smoke it. His manner toward the detective was
+respectful, friendly indeed, yet he made no attempts at conversation,
+and seemed quite satisfied to sit and gaze out of the car window at the
+fields and villages as they swept by. Presently Duvall spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Dufrenne," he began, slowly, "you are no doubt familiar with
+the matter which takes us to London?"</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne withdrew his gaze from the window and faced about in his seat
+with a nervous little gesture of assent. "I understand that Monsieur de
+Grissac has been robbed of his snuff box," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all you know?" Duvall inquired pointedly. "Surely the recovery
+of an article of so little consequence cannot be the real purpose of our
+visit."</p>
+
+<p>The little old man shrugged his shoulders, with an almost imperceptible
+gesture of dissent. "I know nothing of the matter, monsieur," he
+remarked, significantly, "except that my country has called me, and that
+I am here." He spoke the words proudly, as though he considered the fact
+that he had been called upon an honor.</p>
+
+<p>"But surely, you must have some idea, monsieur, of your purpose in being
+here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. That is indeed quite simple. On one occasion I was called upon to
+repair the snuff box of Monsieur de Grissac, the Ambassador. In that way
+I am familiar with its appearance. Now that it is lost, I am requested
+to accompany you, monsieur, in your attempt to recover it, in order that
+I may assist you in identifying it."</p>
+
+<p>"And beyond that, you know nothing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall began to chew the end of his cigar in vexation. Of all the absurd
+expeditions, this seemed the most absurd. Presently he turned to
+Dufrenne and again spoke. "In your repairs upon this snuff box, to which
+so great a value is apparently attached, did you observe anything about
+it of a peculiar nature&mdash;anything to make its loss a matter of such
+grave importance?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, monsieur. It is a small, round ivory box, with a carved top,
+quite plain and of little value&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But the contents? What, perhaps, did Monsieur de Grissac carry within
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Snuff, monsieur. It was quite half-full when it came to me, last April.
+Monsieur de Grissac was in Paris at the time. The spring which actuates
+the top had become broken&mdash;the box is very old, monsieur&mdash;and I was
+required to repair it. That is all I know."</p>
+
+<p>"And you close your shop, and leave Paris without a word, just for a
+thing like that?"</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne straightened his bent shoulders, and his eyes sparkled. "When
+France calls me, monsieur, I have nothing to do but obey."</p>
+
+<p>His reply seemed almost in the nature of a reproof. Duvall made no
+further comment and relapsed into a brown study. After all, he knew,
+even in his irritation, that Monsieur Lefevre had not sent him upon this
+adventure without some real and very good reason. Yet try as he would,
+he was unable to imagine what this reason could be. Of course, there
+must have been something inside the box, his final conclusion was, else
+why should any one have stolen it? No doubt the Ambassador, Monsieur de
+Grissac, would acquaint him with the truth of the affair. Possibly the
+box may have contained papers of great value&mdash;though why one should
+choose such a place for the concealment of valuable papers he could not
+imagine. The whole affair seemed shrouded in mystery, and no amount of
+speculation on his part, apparently, would throw any light upon it. He
+lay back in his seat, dozing, and thinking of Grace and their
+interrupted honeymoon.</p>
+
+<p>At Boulogne they transferred to the boat for Folkstone, and after a
+quiet passage, found themselves on board the train for London. They
+reached Charing Cross early in the evening, and taking a cab, drove at
+once to Monsieur de Grissac's residence in Piccadilly, opposite Green
+Park.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+
+<p>While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains
+in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and
+unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was
+proceeding in the direction of Brussels.</p>
+
+<p>The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than
+were Richard's, to him. At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which
+had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the
+<i>pension</i> at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.
+She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned
+him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had
+assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been
+enough for her.</p>
+
+<p>Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the
+Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of
+the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at
+once to London.</p>
+
+<p>The girl's grief and alarm had been great&mdash;Monsieur Lefevre had at last,
+however, succeeded in convincing her that Richard could not under the
+circumstances have done anything but go. His position as an assistant to
+Lefevre, and more particularly the friendship which existed between
+them, made it imperative for him to come to the Prefect's assistance in
+this crisis.</p>
+
+<p>What the crisis was, Grace did not learn. She had insisted upon
+following Richard, upon being near him, upon assisting him, should
+opportunity offer, and Monsieur Lefevre, seized with a sudden
+inspiration, had dispatched her to Brussels, with the assurance that she
+would not only see her husband very soon, but might be able to render
+both him, and France, a very signal service.</p>
+
+<p>Grace had accepted the mission; her desire to be near Richard was a
+compelling motive, and as a result she found herself flying toward the
+Belgian frontier, on an early afternoon express, with no idea whatever
+of what lay before her, and only a few words, written by Monsieur
+Lefevre upon a page torn from his notebook, to govern her future
+actions.</p>
+
+<p>She luckily was able to find a compartment in one of the first-class
+carriages where she could be alone, and sank back upon the cushioned
+seat, determined to face whatever dangers the future might hold, for the
+sake of her husband.</p>
+
+<p>Her mind traveled, in retrospect, over the events of the past few
+months&mdash;the conspiracy against her, by her step-uncle, Count d'Este, by
+which he had so nearly deprived her of the fortune left to her by her
+aunt, and the striking way in which his plans had been upset by Richard
+Duvall. She had loved him at their very first meeting, and now that they
+had become husband and wife, she loved him more than ever. It is small
+wonder that the thought of the way in which he had been suddenly torn
+from her, on the eve of their wedding journey, brought tears to her
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she regained her composure and looked at the sheet of paper
+which the Prefect had handed to her. It contained but a few words:
+"Proceed to the Hotel Metropole, Brussels. Take a room in the name of
+Grace Ellicott, and wait further instructions." That was all&mdash;no hint of
+how or when she and Richard were to meet, or what had been the cause of
+their separation. Once more the cruelty of the situation brought tears
+to her eyes. While feeling in her handbag for her handkerchief, she drew
+out the small silver ring which the Prefect had handed to her at the
+last moment. "Trust any one," he had said, "who comes to you with such a
+token as this." She examined the ring carefully, but the singular device
+worked in gold upon the silver band, meant nothing to her. At length she
+placed the ring carefully upon her finger, and proceeded to cover it by
+putting on her glove.</p>
+
+<p>For a long time she sat, speculating upon the strange workings of fate,
+which doomed her to be thus speeding alone to Brussels, instead of to
+Cherbourg, <i>en route</i> to America, with Richard by her side. The sight of
+two lovers, who boarded the train at St. Quentin, increased her
+dissatisfaction. They came into the compartment, evidently quite wrapped
+up in each other, and even the presence of a third person did not
+prevent them from holding each other's hands under the cover of a
+friendly magazine, and gazing at each other with longing eyes. Grace was
+quite unable to endure the sight of their happiness&mdash;she turned away and
+buried herself in her thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the adventure-loving side of her nature began to assert
+itself. Richard had been sent on a mission of the greatest
+importance&mdash;one involving, Monsieur Lefevre had told her, the honor of
+both his country and himself. And she was to share it&mdash;to take part in
+its excitement, its dangers. The thought stirred all her love of the
+mysterious, the unusual. After all, since she had become the wife of a
+man whose profession in life was the detection of crime, should she not
+herself take an interest, an active part in his work, and thereby
+encourage and assist him? The thought made her impatient of all
+delay&mdash;she felt herself almost trying to urge the train to quicker
+motion&mdash;she was glad when at last they roared into the station at
+Brussels.</p>
+
+<p>Grace had never before been in the Belgian capital, but she summoned a
+cab, and proceeded without difficulty to the Hotel Metropole. Here she
+was assigned to a small suite, and at once began to unpack the steamer
+trunk which was the only baggage she had brought with her. It was after
+four o'clock when she had completed this task, and had removed the
+stains of travel and changed her gown. As she came into the tiny parlor
+which formed the second of the two rooms of the suite, she heard a
+tapping at the door, and upon opening it, discovered one of the hotel
+maids, waiting outside with fresh towels. The girl came in, and busied
+herself setting to rights the toilet articles on the washstand. Grace,
+who was engaged in listlessly watching the traffic in the square
+outside, paid no attention to her. Presently she heard the girl come in
+from the bedroom, and inquire if there was anything else that she could
+do for her. "Nothing," she replied, without turning. The maid, however,
+did not leave the room, but stood near by, observing her. Grace faced
+about. "That is all," she said sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"I have something to say to you, mademoiselle," the girl whispered in a
+low tone, as she took a step forward. "A message from Monsieur Lefevre."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Lefevre? You?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mademoiselle, I am in his confidence. I know the purpose of your
+visit here, and I come to give you further instructions." She spoke
+quietly, impressively, and Grace was convinced that she was what she
+represented herself to be. Still, she felt the necessity of caution.
+"Please explain," she remarked, without further committing herself.</p>
+
+<p>The girl approached still closer, and reaching into the bosom of her
+dress, drew out a ring similar to the one which the Prefect had given
+Grace. It was attached to a bit of ribbon. She glanced at the ring on
+Grace's finger and smiled. "May I suggest, mademoiselle," she said,
+"that you place the ring you are wearing where it will be less
+conspicuous?"</p>
+
+<p>Grace colored slightly at the criticism which the woman's words implied,
+but drew the ring from her finger and placed it in her purse. "What have
+you to say to me?" she inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"This, mademoiselle. Certain persons, whose identity is not known to the
+police, have committed a theft in London&mdash;in fact, have stolen a
+valuable article from the French Ambassador there, Monsieur de Grissac.
+This theft was committed this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"What did they steal?" asked Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur de Grissac's ivory snuff box, mademoiselle."</p>
+
+<p>"His snuff box? You don't mean to say that they are making all this fuss
+over a trifling thing like a snuff box?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mademoiselle. Such is, indeed, the case."</p>
+
+<p>"But why?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I cannot tell. I do not know. It is sufficient to me that Monsieur
+Lefevre wishes it recovered. In our service, mademoiselle, we are not
+supposed to ask questions, but to obey orders."</p>
+
+<p>Grace repressed her annoyance as best she could. "I suppose it must be
+very valuable," she remarked, lamely.</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly. Very valuable, as you say. Now that it is stolen, it must
+be recovered without delay. Monsieur Lefevre informs us here in Brussels
+that others have gone to London to recover it. Should they fail to do
+so&mdash;we believe that the persons who have committed the theft will come
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because they are acting, we believe, in the interests of a certain Dr.
+Hartmann, who is a resident of Brussels."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should this Dr. Hartmann want the box?" asked Grace, somewhat
+mystified.</p>
+
+<p>"That I am unable to tell you. He is an enemy of my country. He has many
+agents, and is a man of great power."</p>
+
+<p>"But why don't you arrest him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, mademoiselle, you do not understand. This Dr. Hartmann is a
+physician of great prominence. His cures of nervous and mental disorders
+have made him famous throughout Europe. He has in Brussels&mdash;just outside
+the city, a sanatorium, where he receives and treats his patients. He is
+looked up to by all. His work as an enemy of France is quite secret,
+known to but a few. Even we know very little about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then how do you know that he had anything to do with the matter of this
+snuff box?"</p>
+
+<p>"We do not know it&mdash;we only surmise. There is a reason, which I am not
+permitted at present to tell you, which causes Monsieur Lefevre to
+believe that Dr. Hartmann had a hand in this matter. It is for that
+reason, indeed, that he has sent you here."</p>
+
+<p>"What can I do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you. For a long time we have tried to get one of our own
+agents into Dr. Hartmann's house, but without success. He is very
+shrewd&mdash;very cautious. All his servants are countrymen of his, upon whom
+he knows he can depend. His patients are people of wealth, position,
+standing, who, he knows, could not possibly be agents of the French
+police. He will take no others, and always insists upon the strictest
+references. It is for these reasons that we have failed. Now an
+opportunity presents itself for you, mademoiselle, to accomplish that
+which the police cannot accomplish. You are an American girl, of
+prominent family, of wealth, of position. I am informed that your aunt,
+by her second marriage, was the Countess d'Este. Should you apply to Dr.
+Hartmann for treatment, you will have no difficulty in obtaining
+admission, for he could not, by any chance, think that Miss Grace
+Ellicott, of New York, was in the employ of the French secret police.
+You observe, mademoiselle, Monsieur the Prefect's object in sending you
+to Brussels?"</p>
+
+<p>Grace nodded. She was beginning to feel a keen interest in the matter.
+"But I am not ill," she said, with a laugh. "How can I ask Dr. Hartmann
+to treat me?"</p>
+
+<p>"We have thought of that. The matter has been under consideration ever
+since we were advised, early this afternoon, that you were coming. We
+have thought it best that you represent yourself to the doctor as a
+somnambulist."</p>
+
+<p>"A sleep walker?"</p>
+
+<p>"Precisely. It is a form of nervous trouble which is by no means
+infrequent. We are informed that Dr. Hartmann has treated several such
+cases in the past. There are not symptoms, except a state of nervousness
+on the part of the patient which in your case it is probable the
+excitement of the enterprise will supply, and, of course, the tendency
+to walking in the sleep. This latter you must assume."</p>
+
+<p>"Assume?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. You must pretend to be a somnambulist. You must get up, each
+night, at some hour, and wander about the house&mdash;pretending to be
+oblivious of all about you. You are not normally conscious. You are in a
+walking dream. Your eyes are fixed ahead&mdash;seeing no one. It will not be
+difficult for you to pretend all this&mdash;and naturally, by wandering about
+in this way, you may&mdash;we hope you will&mdash;have excellent opportunities to
+observe what goes on within the doctor's walls."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all I am to do&mdash;just watch?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think not. If we are unable, by other means, to prevent the stolen
+box from being delivered to Dr. Hartmann, it must be recovered from him,
+at any cost&mdash;at any cost whatever&mdash;" the woman repeated, significantly.
+"Even life itself cannot be spared, in this case. The box <i>must be
+recovered</i>, no matter what the price we pay&mdash;so we are informed by
+Monsieur Lefevre."</p>
+
+<p>"Then if it should pass into his possession, I may have to steal it? Is
+that what you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly, and at the very first opportunity." The girl rose,
+gathered up the soiled towels which she had taken from the bedroom, and
+went toward the door. "That is all, mademoiselle, except that you will
+communicate to us any news of importance by means of a young man who
+goes to the house each morning and evening to deliver bread. He comes in
+a small wagon, and you will no doubt be able to speak with him, as he
+enters or leaves the grounds. He is quite safe, and can be trusted.
+Address your communications to him verbally&mdash;no letters, understand;
+they are always dangerous. And now, let me suggest that you arrange to
+see Dr. Hartmann at once."</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;he may require reference&mdash;credentials."</p>
+
+<p>"We have thought of that, and have prepared the way. One of our men has
+ascertained that the United States Minister here is acquainted with
+you&mdash;that your family is known to him. Your aunt, you will remember, was
+quite prominent in society, in New York, at the time she married
+Monsieur the Count d'Este. Whether the Minister is acquainted with you
+personally, we have not been able to learn, but that he knows who you
+are, is certain."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I had best call upon him, and arrange for letters to Dr.
+Hartmann."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the best course. His house is near by. Take a cab at once, go
+to him, and state your errand. You will have no difficulty, I feel
+sure." She noiselessly opened the door, and in a moment was gone,
+leaving Grace in a state of wonder. She did not waste much time,
+however, in speculating upon the curious affair in which she found
+herself involved, but putting on her hat, started off at once in search
+of the American Minister.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+
+<p>When Richard Duvall and his companion entered the house of the French
+Ambassador in London, it was evident that their arrival was expected.
+The detective had no more than given his name to the butler who threw
+open the door, when the latter, with a bow of recognition, conducted
+them to a small reception-room to the right of the entrance, and
+informed them that Monsieur de Grissac would see them at once.</p>
+
+<p>They did not have long to wait. The Ambassador, a thin, spare,
+nervous-looking man of sixty, with white hair and a gray-white mustache,
+came hurriedly into the room after but a few moments had elapsed, and
+greeting them excitedly, bade them be seated. He himself remained
+standing, his back to the fireplace, twirling his eyeglasses at the end
+of their black silk ribbon, and observing his visitors keenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Lefevre had informed me of your coming, gentlemen," he
+presently burst out. "We have no time to lose."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us have the details of the affair, monsieur," Duvall remarked,
+seating himself comfortably in his chair. "So far we are completely in
+the dark."</p>
+
+<p>"You know, do you not, that a valuable article, a small snuff box, to be
+exact&mdash;has been stolen from me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Of that I have been informed," the detective remarked, dryly. "I
+am curious to learn why the loss of an article of so trivial a nature
+should be regarded with such seriousness."</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador's eyes snapped&mdash;he seemed almost to resent the
+detective's attitude. "It should be sufficient, monsieur, I think, that
+it is so regarded. The task before us is to recover it&mdash;not discuss the
+reasons for doing so."</p>
+
+<p>"I disagree with you, monsieur. If the real value of the stolen article
+is kept from me, how can I draw any conclusions as to the probable
+object of its theft? Was it intrinsically valuable? Did it contain
+anything of value? In short, why should any one have taken the trouble
+to steal it? Tell me that, and I can act intelligently. Otherwise, I
+shall be only groping about in the dark."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think so, monsieur." The Ambassador bent upon Duvall a
+searching glance. "The fact that the box is gone should be sufficient.
+All that I ask is that you recover it. You must trace its disappearance
+from the material facts of the case. Conjecture will avail us nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"Is the box then of no value?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have not said so. As a matter of fact, its value is great. It has
+been an heirloom in my family for many years. At one time it belonged to
+Cardinal Mazarin."</p>
+
+<p>"You think, then, that its intrinsic value alone might have prompted the
+theft?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so&mdash;indeed, I very greatly hope so."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador recovered himself with a start. Evidently he had said
+more than he intended. It was some time before he answered the question
+and then he did so lamely. "Its theft by someone interested in its value
+as a curiosity would enable me to recover it most readily&mdash;by the
+payment, of course, of a sum of money."</p>
+
+<p>"True. But I assume, from what you say, that there might be other
+reasons; that it might have been taken by those who suspected that it
+had another value?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Monsieur de Grissac appeared confused. Then he waved his
+hand impatiently. "There are those," he said, "who seek to injure me.
+They know that I prized this thing highly. Their motive may have
+been&mdash;not money, but revenge. In that case, its recovery will be vastly
+more difficult."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall saw that Monsieur de Grissac was not being frank with him, and
+for a moment he was conscious of a deep sense of annoyance. Monsieur
+Lefevre had, heretofore, invariably taken him into his confidence. He
+controlled his feelings, however, and appeared to be satisfied with the
+Ambassador's explanations. "What did the box contain, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he asked, pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>"A quantity of snuff, monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! And you, monsieur, are in the habit of using snuff?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. It is the only form in which I use tobacco. Old-fashioned,
+perhaps, but I belong to the older generation." He straightened himself
+up suddenly. "Let us proceed, gentlemen. I fear we are wasting valuable
+time."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall nodded. "Permit me to ask you a few more questions."</p>
+
+<p>"I am at your service, monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>"When did you last see the box?"</p>
+
+<p>"This morning, at nine o'clock. I always carry it in the right-hand
+pocket of my waistcoat. To insure its safety, I had it attached to a
+long gold chain, which was securely fastened to the inside of the
+pocket. I rose this morning somewhat late, having attended a banquet
+last night. After having my coffee and rolls in my bedroom, I went to my
+dressing-room to be shaved. As I did so, I paused for a moment, drew the
+snuff box from the pocket of my white evening waistcoat, which my valet
+had hung in a closet the night before, and took a pinch of snuff from
+it. I then replaced it in the pocket and entered the dressing-room
+adjoining, where No&euml;l, my man, was waiting for me. He proceeded to shave
+me as usual, and I began to dress. Upon going to the closet in my
+bedroom to remove the box, and fasten it by means of the chain to the
+clasp in the pocket of the waistcoat I had just put on, I was amazed to
+find it gone. I at once summoned No&euml;l&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Summoned him?" interrupted the detective. "Was he not with you in the
+room?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. A few moments before&mdash;as soon, in fact, as I had completed
+dressing, he left the apartment to give some instructions to my
+chauffeur."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I at once rushed out into the hall, calling for No&euml;l."</p>
+
+<p>"You believed, then, that he had taken the box?"</p>
+
+<p>"I could believe nothing else. No one but he had been in my rooms."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I see. And you questioned him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. On reaching the hall I met one of the maids ascending the
+stairway. I called to her, asking if she had seen No&euml;l. She had not. She
+had been in the servants' hall&mdash;talking with the chauffeur&mdash;No&euml;l had not
+been there."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I rushed to his room, which is on the floor above, thinking that, if he
+had taken the box, and proposed to deny the fact, he would have gone
+there to secrete it."</p>
+
+<p>"Would he not have been more likely to leave the house immediately since
+he knew you would discover your loss at once?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. He would realize that to flee would be to admit his guilt. He could
+not have gone more than a few hundred feet. Capture would have been
+inevitable."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you find the man in the room?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was just leaving it as I came up."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I ordered him back into the room, and questioned him sharply. He denied
+all knowledge of the matter, and appeared to be deeply hurt at my
+suspicions."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you believe him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. The matter is incomprehensible. No&euml;l has
+been in my service for eight years. I supposed him absolutely
+incorruptible&mdash;absolutely honest. He also insists that after I left the
+bedroom, and came into the dressing-room to be shaved, he did not leave
+me, nor again enter the bedroom; in which case, he could not have
+committed the theft."</p>
+
+<p>"Is this true?"</p>
+
+<p>"So far as I can remember, it is." He spoke in a slightly hesitating
+way, and Duvall at once noticed it. "You are, then, not absolutely
+sure?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel confident that No&euml;l did not leave me, nor enter the bedroom. If
+I hesitated for a moment, it arose from the fact that on one or two
+occasions I have fallen asleep while being shaved, but this morning I am
+quite sure that I did not do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you were up late last night, and awoke feeling sleepy and tired."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes." The Ambassador nodded. "That is true."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any other door to the bedroom?"</p>
+
+<p>"None, except that which opens into my bath. The bathroom has no
+windows. It is an inside room."</p>
+
+<p>"And the bedroom?"</p>
+
+<p>"It has two windows, facing upon the adjoining property. There is quite
+thirty feet of space between the two buildings and the windows are at
+least twenty-five feet from the ground."</p>
+
+<p>"What room is above?"</p>
+
+<p>"A guest's chamber, unused and locked."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall rose and began to stride up and down the room, chewing viciously
+upon his unlighted cigar. "After you finished questioning the man, what
+did you do then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I searched his room thoroughly, and made him turn out the contents of
+his pockets, his trunk and bureau drawers."</p>
+
+<p>"And you found&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing. That was before noon to-day. Since then, I have kept the man
+locked in his room, awaiting your coming. One of the other servants has
+remained on guard outside his door ever since."</p>
+
+<p>"You did not, then, notify the police?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. The matter is one that, for reasons of my own, I do not wish to
+become public."</p>
+
+<p>"Has anything been heard from your prisoner since this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He asked for pen and ink about one o'clock this afternoon. I went
+up to see him, to find out why he wanted them. He seemed deeply
+affected, was almost in tears, and apparently afraid to meet my gaze. He
+said he wished to write a note, breaking an engagement he had had for
+this afternoon. He usually had Wednesday afternoons off. I permitted him
+to write the letter."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall began to show signs of deep interest on hearing this. "Where is
+it?" he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"What, monsieur?" The Ambassador evidently did not follow him.</p>
+
+<p>"The letter."</p>
+
+<p>"I sent it, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"But you read it first?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. It was addressed to a man named Seltz, Oscar Seltz, if I recollect
+correctly, at a barber shop in Piccadilly Circus, which, as you know, is
+close by. This fellow Seltz was a friend of No&euml;l's. I have several times
+heard him speak of him. They were accustomed to spend their afternoons
+off together, I understand."</p>
+
+<p>"And the note?" asked Duvall, impatiently. "What did it say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Merely that No&euml;l was unable to keep his appointment for that afternoon,
+and did not expect to see his friend again before his departure. Seltz
+must have been planning some trip. The letter, as I remember, was quite
+cool, almost unfriendly in its tone."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall glanced at his watch. "This was about one o'clock you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. The matter has no significance. We are wasting our time discussing
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, monsieur, I fear it may have had the greatest
+significance. That letter should never have been delivered. Even now, it
+may be too late to prevent the consequences. Be so good, monsieur, as to
+conduct me to this man No&euml;l's room at once." He turned to Dufrenne. "You
+will accompany us, of course, Monsieur Dufrenne," he said, then followed
+the Ambassador toward the hall.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments they reached the third floor of the house, and passed
+along a short hall which gave entrance to a rear extension of the
+building, in which the servants' quarters were located. At the entrance
+of the hall, a maid was seated upon a stool, reading a book. She rose as
+the others approached, and stood respectfully aside.</p>
+
+<p>"Has anything been heard from No&euml;l?" the Ambassador asked. "Has he asked
+for anything?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, monsieur. He has been quiet ever since six o'clock, when I
+took him his supper."</p>
+
+<p>"What was he doing when you entered?"</p>
+
+<p>"Writing, monsieur. He was sitting at the table, with a pen in his hand,
+and he looked up and told me to put the tray on the trunk. 'I shall ask
+you to take this letter to Monsieur de Grissac as soon as I have
+finished it,' he said. Since then I have heard nothing from him."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall had preceded the Ambassador and Dufrenne to the door at the end
+of the short hall, and stood listening intently. In a moment, De Grissac
+came up, and, unlocking the door, threw it open. The room was dimly
+illuminated by a single candle, which smoked and guttered in its socket,
+apparently nearly burned out. Nothing was at first to be seen of the
+valet. Duvall stepped forward, then turned quickly and spoke. "Shut the
+door, please," he said in a tense voice.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne did so, while the Ambassador strode forward and followed
+Duvall's gaze with a look of horror. On the floor beside the bed, and to
+the far side of the room from the door, lay the body of the unfortunate
+valet, his face, ghastly pale, turned toward the ceiling. But it was
+neither the sight of the man lying there, apparently dead, nor the
+agonized expression of his face, which caused both the Ambassador and
+Duvall to start back with exclamations of surprise. Across the man's
+lips was a great, dull-red blotch, which at first appeared to be a clot
+of blood, but which seemed, from its circular form and regular contour,
+more like a huge seal. And seal it was. Duvall, dropping on one knee
+beside the body, felt for the man's heart, at the same time looking
+closely at the mark upon his lips. He was quite dead, and had apparently
+been so for an hour or two. The blot upon his face was a great lump of
+red sealing wax, tightly binding together his lips, and upon it was the
+coarse imprint of a man's forefingers.</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador shrank back with a cry, as his eyes fell upon the ghastly
+sight. Dufrenne gazed at the dead man impassively. Duvall, springing to
+his feet, went at once to the window at the rear of the room, which
+stood partly open, and raising it to its full extent, looked out. The
+others heard him give utterance to a low whistle, as he drew back into
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>"No one could have entered the room," cried the Ambassador, in a
+frightened voice. "It is thirty-five feet or more to the ground."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall motioned to the window. "Look out, monsieur," he remarked,
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>De Grissac did so, then uttered a sudden cry. From the window to the
+garden below stretched a long slender wooden ladder. "It belongs to the
+men who have been repairing the rain spouting," he exclaimed. "They
+leave it in the garden, at night. I knew there was no way in which No&euml;l
+could get out."</p>
+
+<p>"But clearly a way, monsieur, by which others could get in," said
+Duvall, quietly, as he began a minute examination of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"But the snuff box&mdash;do you think it has been taken away?"</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly, monsieur. I suspected as much, when you showed me the
+man's letter. Your servant, I have no doubt, took the box while shaving
+you this morning. You doubtless dozed off, thus giving him the
+opportunity. He did not know that you had taken snuff from the box this
+morning shortly after arising, and imagined, no doubt, that you would
+suppose you had lost it some time the night before. This would relieve
+him of any suspicion. He hurried off to his room to secrete the box,
+meaning to deliver it to this friend of his, Oscar Seltz, during the
+afternoon. His arraignment by you, his subsequent imprisonment, no doubt
+frightened him and filled him with remorse&mdash;hence his rather unfriendly
+letter to Seltz. He had repented of his bargain, and was doubtless
+engaged in preparing a confession, telling you of his crime, and the
+reasons therefor, when the murderer entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>"The latter, who probably was this man Seltz, must have become alarmed
+by the tone of No&euml;l's letter. He was, it seems clear, planning some trip
+away from London, upon which he was about to leave. He meant to take the
+snuff box with him. Upon receiving No&euml;l's letter he determined to see
+him and demand the box, if he found the latter had secured it. No doubt
+he made inquiries from some of the servants, on calling to see No&euml;l, and
+was informed that he was confined to his room. He then pretended to
+leave, but in reality, ascended to the room by means of the ladder he
+found in the garden, while the servants were at dinner. It was a
+desperate chance, but he took it. Upon arriving in the room, he found
+No&euml;l engaged in preparing his confession, insisted upon reading it, then
+realizing that his confederate was about to play him false, killed him,
+after gaining possession of the box, and departed."</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador uttered a groan. "My God," he moaned, "I am lost!"</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne, who meanwhile had been making a careful examination of the
+dead valet's body, rose with a mystified expression upon his face.
+"There are no wounds upon the body at all, Monsieur Duvall," he said.
+"How can you account for this man's death?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall stooped, and repeated the examination which his companion had
+just made. "You are right," he said. "The case is a most mysterious
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"At least we can identify the murderer by the finger print upon the
+seal," De Grissac remarked, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid not. This man Seltz cannot be quite a fool. Look!" He held
+up the forefinger of the dead man's right hand, upon which was a dull
+red burn, with bits of the red sealing wax about the nail. "He wasn't
+taking any chances." He let the already stiffening arm fall, and
+continued his examination of the body. "The method by which the man was
+killed," he remarked slowly, "is not yet clear to me. Certain finger
+prints on the throat indicate that he might have been strangled, but
+they are hardly deep or extensive enough for that. I fancy they would
+have resulted in temporary unconsciousness only. No&mdash;there is another
+reason&mdash;although what it is&mdash;" He paused as his eyes lit upon a thin
+shining object on the floor beside the table. "Oh, this may tell us
+something." He picked up the thing, which the others saw at once to be a
+large scarf pin, and examined it carefully.</p>
+
+<p>"Did this belong to your servant, Monsieur de Grissac," he asked,
+holding the pin up to the light.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes." The Ambassador glanced at the pin carelessly. "It was one of my
+own that I had given him, some months ago."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall laid the scarf pin carefully upon the table, then went to the
+body on the floor, turned it over and made a careful examination of the
+back of the neck. He held the candle close, pushing aside the man's thin
+sandy hair. Presently he rose and placed the candle on the table beside
+the pin. "This was what your servant was killed with, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he said, as he indicated the scarf pin with his finger. "It
+was thrust violently into the spine, at the base of the brain. Only a
+tiny blood spot remains to tell the tale. This fellow Seltz is a shrewd
+customer."</p>
+
+<p>"We do not even know that it was he who committed the crime. There is no
+real evidence against anyone. The snuff box may still be here. I insist
+that you make a thorough search."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be useless, monsieur," Duvall remarked with a faint smile.
+"The box must have been on the table when the murderer entered the
+room."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because otherwise he would have searched for it, and you would have
+found everything in disorder. Believe me, monsieur, your servant had
+repented of his theft, and was about to return the box to you&mdash;it was
+that which caused his death. The seal upon his lips is a gruesome
+joke&mdash;silence&mdash;his lips are sealed&mdash;he can tell nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"Seltz must be arrested at once," the Ambassador cried, in a rage.</p>
+
+<p>"So far, monsieur, there is not the slightest evidence against him.
+Further, it is my opinion that he will leave London at once. Tell me the
+name of the shop in Piccadilly Circus where he was employed, and we will
+lose no further time in getting on his trail."</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador was not entirely certain of the location of the shop. He
+had never visited it. The name, he remembered, was given in the note as
+Perrier. The note had been delivered by one of the servants; he could
+tell where, and to whom he had delivered it.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall recommended to the Ambassador that he report the murder to the
+police at once, but requested that no mention be made of the presence of
+himself and Monsieur Dufrenne. "We should be held as witnesses," he
+cautioned Monsieur de Grissac, "and that would seriously interfere with
+our plans. Let us interview the servant who took the letter at once."</p>
+
+<p>The latter, a groom, was soon disposed of. He gave the number and
+location of the barber shop in Piccadilly Circus, a short distance away,
+and reported that he had handed the message to a dark, smooth-shaven man
+at the second chair. He did not know Seltz, but the proprietor had
+pointed him out in response to his inquiries. His description of the man
+was vague and unsatisfactory; he was unable to give any further
+information on the subject. Investigations as to anyone having made
+inquiries at the servants' entrance during the evening, regarding No&euml;l,
+elicited the information that a heavily built, dark man, smooth-shaven,
+had called about half-past seven, and upon being informed that the valet
+was confined to his room and could not be seen, had disappeared. No one
+had taken any particular notice of his coming or going.</p>
+
+<p>When the party had once more assembled in the reception-room, Duvall
+turned to Monsieur de Grissac. "There is nothing more to be accomplished
+here, monsieur," he remarked, quietly. "We will get after this fellow
+Seltz at once, and I trust that before long the missing snuff box will
+be returned to you."</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador shook hands with his guests, in a state of extreme
+agitation. "Lose no time," he urged. "You must recover the box before
+the thief has an opportunity to turn it over to those who are back of
+him, else it will be too late. I shall pray for your success." He stood
+at the door as his guests departed, shaking as though with a palsy. "It
+is a matter of greater moment than life itself. I trust you will not
+fail."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+
+<p>Richard Duvall, accompanied by the silent little curio dealer, left the
+home of the French Ambassador and walked rapidly to the barber shop of
+Alphonse Perrier in Piccadilly Circus. They found the place without
+difficulty, a large and evidently prosperous establishment, located on
+the ground floor of a building, the upper rooms of which were devoted to
+business offices. A large plate glass window in front bore the sign,
+"Alphonse Perrier, Tonsorial Parlors."</p>
+
+<p>The detective and his companion walked slowly past the brightly lighted
+window, their eyes taking in the details of the interior of the place.
+It was now close to ten o'clock, but the street was filled with
+pedestrians, and there were still one or two customers in the shop. At
+the first chair toward the door stood a large pasty-faced man, with a
+mop of bushy black hair, who was engaged in trimming a young man's
+mustache. The second chair was occupied by a man who was being shaved.
+The fellow who was shaving him answered in a general way to the
+descriptions of Seltz given by the Ambassador's servants. The third
+chair was unoccupied, and the man in charge of it, as well as those at
+the remaining two chairs, were engaged in putting away their razors and
+brushes, preparatory to leaving. It was evident that the closing hour
+was near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall turned to his companion, "Monsieur Dufrenne," he said, "will you
+enter at once and take the third chair? Keep your eyes and ears open,
+and see what you can learn. I will wait here in the shadow of the next
+doorway. Our man is evidently inside. He will soon be leaving the shop.
+If he does so, before you do, I shall follow him. In that event, return
+to Monsieur de Grissac's house and wait there for word from me."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne felt his stubbly beard. "It is fortunate, monsieur, that I have
+not been shaved since Monday," he said, as he entered the shop.</p>
+
+<p>The man in charge of the third chair looked at him with a sulky
+expression as he took his seat. His companions grinned. Evidently he had
+not expected another customer before the closing hour. He began to shave
+the little old Frenchman with careless haste. The latter lay in his
+chair, with half-closed eyes, pretending to doze. In reality he was
+watching every movement of the man next to him.</p>
+
+<p>The customer who occupied the second chair was a small, thin man, with
+sandy hair and a bony face. His eyes, rather prominent, under sparse red
+eyebrows, were closed as though in sleep. He was not paying the
+slightest attention to his surroundings, taking no notice whatever of
+Seltz, who was going over his face in a stolid and methodical way. There
+seemed nothing about either of them to attract attention&mdash;and Dufrenne
+began to wonder whether they might not after all be upon a false scent.
+The man Seltz showed neither haste nor nervousness in his movements&mdash;if
+he was in a hurry to finish his work for the evening, and leave the
+place, he certainly did not show it.</p>
+
+<p>After a time, Dufrenne observed that the thin man in the chair next to
+him had opened his eyes, and was feeling his jaw with much satisfaction.
+"A very good shave, my good fellow," he said, in excellent English,
+without a trace of any foreign accent. "What powder was that you used,
+may I ask?"</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne, who was observing Seltz carelessly, saw a sudden change come
+over him. His eyes lit up with interest, and a slight flush overspread
+his face. There seemed nothing in so simple a question to arouse him in
+this way, and Dufrenne watched him carefully, his senses keenly alert
+for anything of interest. To his disappointment, Seltz's answer was of
+the most commonplace character. "It is a special kind, which Monsieur
+Perrier has made for him, after his own formula. 'Poudre Perrier,' it is
+called." He turned to the case behind him, opened a drawer and brought
+forth a round cardboard box. "Eightpence is the price. Would you like to
+try a box?" He extended the package toward his customer, who had risen
+and was adjusting his scarf at the mirror.</p>
+
+<p>The man turned and glanced carelessly at the box. "Oh, you might wrap it
+up. I shave myself, occasionally, when I'm traveling. Eightpence, you
+say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir." Seltz turned to the case and began to do up the package in a
+piece of brown paper. In a few moments he turned and handed it to his
+customer, who had drawn on his coat, and was preparing to leave the
+place. Dufrenne saw him put his hand into his pocket and draw out some
+money, which he handed to Seltz. The latter nodded gravely and placed it
+in his pocket. The thin-faced man did the same with the package, then
+left the shop. There was nothing in the least suspicious about the whole
+transaction, and the little Frenchman contented himself with observing
+Seltz as he put away his brushes and prepared to stop work for the day.
+Once he saw the man draw something from his pocket and glance hurriedly
+at it, but his back was toward the chair in which Dufrenne sat, and he
+could not see what it was. A sense of uneasiness filled him, however, as
+the man who was shaving him drew away the sheet from about his shoulders
+and stepped back to allow him to rise.</p>
+
+<p>He made his way to the street as quickly as possible. Seltz was still
+occupied in putting away his shaving implements.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the pavement, Dufrenne turned and walked rapidly toward
+Charing Cross. He did not wish to join Duvall in sight of those within.
+He had taken but a few paces when the latter caught up to him. "What did
+you learn?" the detective asked, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne related in a few words what had occurred in the shop. He failed
+to note the excitement with which the detective listened to his story.
+"It may have been the snuff box," Duvall cried, moving forward rapidly
+in his excitement. "A clever scheme, I must say." He looked about
+eagerly for the man who had left the shop so short a time before, but he
+had disappeared in the darkness. "If you could only have warned me in
+some way."</p>
+
+<p>"It was impossible, monsieur," said Dufrenne much crestfallen. "I could
+not leave the chair until the man had finished shaving me."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," replied Duvall, uncertain what course to pursue next.
+"The man went in this direction. I noticed him particularly. Perhaps if
+I were to hurry I might overtake him." He started forward. "You stay
+here and watch Seltz. If I do not return, report to me at Monsieur de
+Grissac's." He turned and disappeared in the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne went slowly back to the neighborhood of the shop, and stood in
+the shadow of the doorway, waiting. Presently he observed two of the
+assistants, in street clothes, leave the place and hurry off into the
+darkness. Neither of them was Seltz. The lights in the shop began to go
+out. Another assistant left. Only Seltz and the proprietor now remained
+within. He crept toward the window, and cautiously looked inside.
+Monsieur Perrier stood before one of the mirrors, arranging his bushy
+hair. <i>There was no one else in the shop.</i></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+
+<p>Grace Duvall arrived at the house of the American Minister at about
+half-past five, and luckily found him at home. From the maid at the
+hotel she had learned that his name was Phelps, Austin Phelps, and she
+at once recognized it as that of a lawyer prominent in business and
+social circles in New York. That he should know her, at least by name,
+was not at all surprising&mdash;her aunt, prior to her marriage to Count
+d'Este, had been much courted on account of both her beauty and her
+wealth. She waited in the handsome drawing-room to which she had been
+conducted, nervously wondering what the nature of her reception would
+be. The card she had given to the servant was one of her own&mdash;in fact,
+she remembered with a smile that her marriage to Richard Duvall but a
+few hours before had so filled her mind and heart that she had
+completely forgotten to have any cards prepared setting forth her new
+estate. It was as Grace Ellicott that the Minister would know her,
+however, and her business in Brussels made it desirable that she should
+pose as a single woman. It was not at all difficult, she thought to
+herself, under the circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Phelps, the Minister, proved to be a rubicund, rather portly
+gentleman, with white side whiskers and an air of urbane courtesy that
+set her at her ease at once. She told him who she was, hopefully, and
+was delighted to find that he placed her at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Margaret Ellicott's niece," he said with a pleasant smile, offering his
+hand. "My dear girl, I'm delighted to meet you. I knew your aunt well,
+years ago, when you were going about in short dresses. I lost sight of
+her, after she married D'Este, and went to Paris to live. It was only
+the other day that I learned of her death. She was a fine woman. Mrs.
+Phelps and myself were both very fond of her. Won't you take a seat and
+tell me what you are doing in Brussels?"</p>
+
+<p>Grace sat down, and at once plunged into her story. "I have suffered a
+great deal, lately, Mr. Phelps," she began, "from nervousness. I've been
+living in Paris, you know, and many things have happened to upset me.
+You have heard, of course, of the Count d'Este's treatment of me, and of
+his arrest and conviction?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes." He nodded gravely. "I do not wonder that you feel upset."</p>
+
+<p>"Of late I have suffered a great deal from attacks of sleep walking. I
+get up at night and wander about, without knowing what I am doing. One
+night, I went out on the balcony and nearly walked off into the street."
+She lied bravely, hoping that her story would appear plausible.</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad," Mr. Phelps remarked, evidently somewhat surprised that she
+should confide such matters to him. "You are under treatment, of
+course."</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;that is, not at present. No one in Paris has been able to do me any
+good. I have heard so much of Dr. Hartmann and his marvelous success
+with all sorts of mental and nervous troubles that I have decided to
+consult him. That is why I came to Brussels."</p>
+
+<p>"I see. Well&mdash;he's a splendid man. You couldn't do better. I know him
+very well, and like him immensely. A thorough scientist. Have you seen
+him, yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I&mdash;I understood that he does not care to take patients without
+references as to their standing, financial and otherwise."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear girl, you would have no trouble. Of course he is overrun with
+patients&mdash;and as his sanatorium is a small one, he is obliged to charge
+large fees and take only the best and wealthiest class. He is an
+investigator, rather than a practitioner, and for that reason is obliged
+to guard his time."</p>
+
+<p>"Then may I ask that you will give me a letter to him?" Grace said,
+hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. I'll do it gladly. When do you intend to call on him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought of going at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll do better than give you a letter. I'll call him up by
+telephone and make an appointment for you. Say in half an hour. It will
+take you about twenty minutes to drive to his place. Will that be
+convenient?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly, Mr. Phelps, and thank you very much."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, my dear girl. Only too happy to do it for you. You must come
+and meet Mrs. Phelps, later on, and dine with us. Just at present she is
+out, taking tea with some friends. I want you to know her." He rose and
+started toward the door. "Excuse me for a few moments, while I telephone
+the doctor."</p>
+
+<p>Grace, left alone, could not help regretting the deceit she had been
+obliged to practise upon her aunt's old friend, but there seemed to be
+no help for it. She only hoped that nothing would occur, subsequently,
+to involve the latter in any disagreeable explanations.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Phelps returned to the drawing-room in a few moments, his face
+weathed in smiles of satisfaction. "You're lucky," he said. "Dr.
+Hartmann tells me that he can accommodate you at once, as he discharged
+one of his patients, cured, only this morning. If you propose to remain
+at his house for treatment, which would be the only satisfactory way, I
+would suggest that you drive around by way of your hotel and arrange to
+have your baggage sent at once. I have written the address, and a few
+words to the doctor, on this card. Any of the cab drivers will know it,
+of course. Dr. Hartmann is one of the most prominent men in Brussels. I
+wish you good luck in your stay at his place, and whenever you are in
+the city, come in and have luncheon. Mrs. Phelps will be delighted." He
+led the way to the door, and ushered the girl into her cab. "Glad I was
+able to be of service to you," he said, as she drove off.
+"Good-evening."</p>
+
+<p>When Grace entered the office of Dr. Hartmann, she was quite conscious
+of the fact that it would not be necessary for her to pretend to be
+nervous. In fact she felt herself turning hot and cold with fear, and
+wondered whether she would have the courage to play the part which had
+been so unexpectedly thrust upon her.</p>
+
+<p>The place itself was pleasant and attractive enough in appearance. It
+consisted of a large stone building, with a mansard roof, set back some
+hundred or more yards from the street, and surrounded by a small park,
+filled with trees and shrubbery. A well-kept gravel driveway led from
+the gate to the main entrance, which opened into a large hall. She
+observed as she came in, a sort of parlor, or reception-room, to the
+right, handsomely furnished in rather an old-fashioned style, with a
+large marble mantel and fireplace at one end of it. In the latter a
+blaze of cannel coal lit up the room with a pleasant radiance. It was
+not yet dark without, and the lights in the reception room were unlit,
+although a lamp was burning in the hall.</p>
+
+<p>The maid who admitted her, a pleasant-faced German woman of middle age,
+conducted her into the reception-room, and taking her card, disappeared
+down the hall. In a few moments she returned, and nodding to Grace,
+opened a door at the left of the hall and bade her enter.</p>
+
+<p>She found herself in the doctor's office, a large room, furnished in
+leather. A table in the center contained a lamp, and many magazines and
+papers. There was no one in the room when she entered, but before she
+had time to select a chair, a door at the rear of the room opened, and
+Dr. Hartmann came in.</p>
+
+<p>He was a man of powerful build, and gave one the impression of great
+size, although not in reality above medium height. His shoulders,
+however, were very broad and thick, his neck short and powerful, his
+head large, with heavy iron-gray hair. A short beard of the same color
+covered the lower part of his face, while through a pair of gold-rimmed
+spectacles his eyes shone with piercing brightness. Grace thought, as he
+came toward her, that she had seldom seen a more striking-looking man.</p>
+
+<p>"Be seated, miss," he said, addressing her in English, though with a
+decided accent. "You are Miss Grace Ellicott, I believe." He glanced at
+the card which he held in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Grace, nervously taking a seat.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Phelps tells me you suffer from somnambulism," the doctor went on.
+"How long have you observed the symptoms?"</p>
+
+<p>"About six months," answered Grace, steadily.</p>
+
+<p>"Are the occurrences frequent?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Almost every night."</p>
+
+<p>"Had you experienced any great shock, about the time these
+manifestations began?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. My aunt, whom I loved very dearly, had died."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! And when you walk in your sleep, do you seem to see her?"</p>
+
+<p>Grace reflected over this question for several moments. Then she
+recollected that persons given to somnambulism never remember their
+experiences. "No. I have no recollection of what occurs."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor's face was lit with a satisfied smile. He came over to Grace,
+drew apart the lids of one of her eyes and gazed into it, looked at her
+hands critically, felt her pulse for a moment, then asked suddenly,
+"Have you ever been placed under the influence of hypnosis?"</p>
+
+<p>She trembled. If this man were to hypnotize her, as she was perfectly
+certain that he could, he might force her to tell him everything, and
+thereby endanger the success of the whole plan. "No," she replied,
+firmly. "I should not care for it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a method of treatment, miss, which I use a great deal."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it will not be necessary, doctor, to use it upon me. I have
+always had a horror of being hypnotized. Please do not attempt it."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, miss," the doctor laughed. "It may not be necessary. Before
+we go further with your case, I shall want to observe it carefully for a
+few days. You understand my terms, of course." The doctor named a large
+sum. "So much each week, and an additional charge for my services,
+depending upon the nature of the case."</p>
+
+<p>Grace nodded, although the amount was sufficiently large to stagger her.
+"I shall gladly pay what you ask," she said, "if you can only cure me."
+She rose as the doctor stepped to the side of the room and pressed an
+electric button.</p>
+
+<p>"You can go to your room at once, Miss Ellicott," the doctor went on.
+"One of the maids will conduct you. Your meals will be served there, or
+you can eat in the large dining-room, as you prefer. There are only
+twenty other patients. Some of them you might find very agreeable. Make
+yourself thoroughly at home. There are many excellent books in the
+library, and you will perhaps wish to walk in the grounds, or visit your
+friends in the city. The nature of your case is such that no particular
+regimen, no rules of health are necessary. Remember, however, that we
+close the gates of the park at sundown. I will see you again, this
+evening, and bring you some medicine. It is merely a sedative, to quiet
+your nerves. It is not possible to do much for complaints such as yours,
+by means of drugs." He turned, as a quiet, pleasant-faced woman opened
+the door. "Anna," he said to her in German, "conduct Miss Ellicott to
+her room, and make her comfortable."</p>
+
+<p>Not wishing to endure the ordeal of dining with strangers, Grace decided
+to have her dinner served in her room. She found it excellent, and very
+well cooked. After dinner she sat in an easy chair by the large electric
+lamp and read a book she had brought with her.</p>
+
+<p>At ten o'clock Dr. Hartmann came in, and asked her a few more questions,
+gave the nurse a small bottle containing a dark brown liquid and
+instructed her as to administering it, then said good-night and went
+out. Grace threw down her book, and announced that she was ready to
+retire. The maid assisted her to undress, gave her a few drops of the
+medicine in a small glass of sherry, put out the light, and departed,
+informing Grace that she would be in the hall, within call, if the
+latter wished anything.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the medicine which she had taken, Grace was far too nervous
+and excited to fall asleep. She realized the daring nature of the game
+she had been called upon to play, and for a moment her spirits sank and
+she felt a sense of fear. Thoughts of Richard, however, soon restored
+her courage. She would face any danger to serve him. How different from
+what she had imagined, was this, her first night of married life!
+Instead of lying in Richard's arms, on board the steamer bound for
+America, here she was, a patient in a sanatorium in Brussels. The thing
+seemed unreal&mdash;impossible.</p>
+
+<p>After a while, the noises of the house ceased one by one. As midnight
+struck, all was dark and silent. Only the faint sound of the wind among
+the trees in the park came to her ears. She wondered whether it was
+necessary for her to pretend to walk in her sleep this night&mdash;in order
+that the doctor might feel that her case was a real one. She rose
+softly, undecided, and going to the window, looked out.</p>
+
+<p>The room in which she then was, occupied a position at the rear of the
+building, and in one of its two wings. From the center of the main
+building she observed a covered passageway, or bridge, extending out for
+perhaps a hundred feet and terminating in a sort of square tower. In one
+of the rooms in the tower, on a level with herself, she saw lights, and
+the figure of a man moving about.</p>
+
+<p>The place attracted her attention. She wondered what its use could be.
+Then an inspiration struck her. The covered bridge ran from the main
+hall not thirty feet from her own door. She determined to cross it,
+pretending to be walking in her sleep, and find out what she could
+regarding the brick tower. When the time came, she knew that all the
+information she could possess about the house and its occupants would be
+necessary to the success of her plans.</p>
+
+<p>She threw about her a dressing-gown, and quietly opened her door. The
+maid was nowhere to be seen, but doubtless she would shortly return. The
+chair upon which she had been sitting, at the point where the side and
+main halls met, stood directly beneath the electric light. No doubt,
+Grace thought, she had been called away for a few moments by one of the
+other patients on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Now was her chance. She stepped noiselessly down the cross hall, her
+eyes wide open and hands clenched at her sides. At the junction of the
+two halls she turned to the right, toward a door which, she judged, gave
+entrance to the covered way. She found this unlocked, opened it, entered
+the passageway and closed the door behind her. Then she began to walk
+slowly along the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>It was a narrow structure, not exceeding five feet in width, with top
+and sides of corrugated metal, and a floor of wooden planks. At the far
+end of it she perceived a glass door, behind which shone a brilliant
+light.</p>
+
+<p>She approached the door cautiously, keeping up all the while the
+pretense of walking in her sleep. This was not easy&mdash;she did not know
+just how persons who were somnambulists acted, but she had read
+descriptions of such cases, and had once seen a play in which one of the
+characters was a sleep walker. She tried to give her eyes a vacant,
+unseeing expression, and fearlessly approached the door.</p>
+
+<p>It stood slightly ajar, and through the glass panels she saw at once
+that the room was Dr. Hartmann's laboratory. She arrived at this
+conclusion from the various medical appliances which stood about the
+room, the uses of which she did not know. Her inspection of the room,
+however, was but momentary, for two figures, brightly illuminated by an
+overhanging cluster of electric lights, at once attracted her attention.
+One of these was Dr. Hartmann. He sat at a large, flat-topped desk, his
+profile toward the door, examining with great care a mass of papers
+which lay on the desk before him. His forehead was wrinkled with
+thought, and an expression of anger dominated his face.</p>
+
+<p>At the other side of the desk sat a tall spare man, with a
+military-looking carriage, and a fierce blond mustache, which he was
+gnawing uneasily. The two figures sat silent for several moments, no
+word passing between them, while Grace watched intently. Presently she
+heard the doctor speak. "It took you two years, it seems, to find out
+that Monsieur de Grissac uses snuff."</p>
+
+<p>The other nodded. "One year and ten months, to be exact."</p>
+
+<p>"And now," the doctor went on, angrily, "you trust everything to a
+stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"It is better so, is it not? The affair is dangerous. Neither you, nor
+I, can afford to be mixed up in it."</p>
+
+<p>Doctor Hartmann brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang. "<i>Gott
+in Himmel!</i>" he roared. "We must take some risks, my friend. I tell you
+I must have De Grissac's snuff box without further delay. If that does
+not solve the problem, we are at the end of our rope."</p>
+
+<p>"It will solve it," the other man replied imperturbably. "I have
+positive assurances to that effect. Furthermore, I have every reason to
+believe that we shall hear from London before the end of the week."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you received any word?" the doctor inquired eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. The attempt was to be made either to-day or to-morrow. Our man
+will report to you at once. He knows nothing of the matter, of course.
+He will deliver the box to you, and receive the money."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is the fellow?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know his name. I have not seen him, myself. Gratz arranged
+everything in London. I considered it very important that nothing should
+occur which would connect us with the matter in any way. Monsieur de
+Grissac will discover his loss very quickly and will use every effort to
+prevent the box from falling into our hands. Gratz and the others would
+invite suspicion at once. The fellow they have chosen to handle the
+matter is unknown to the French police. He will attract no attention.
+The plan appears to be perfect."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor nodded slowly, chewing on his cigar. "I hope you are right,
+Mayer," he said, and looked at his watch.</p>
+
+<p>As he finished speaking, Grace heard someone approaching her from
+behind, but she paid no attention. In a moment the attendant touched her
+lightly on the arm. She turned, gazing at the woman with staring,
+unseeing eyes. The latter looked at her keenly, then began to lead her
+along the bridge toward the main building.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached her bedroom, the nurse turned on the lights suddenly,
+glancing at Grace's face as she did so. The girl did not dare even to
+blink her eyes. "Sit down," the woman commanded, sharply. Grace sank
+upon the edge of the bed. "Take off your shoes," the nurse went on, in a
+stern voice. The girl had slipped on a pair of bedroom slippers&mdash;she
+proceeded to remove them mechanically, fumbling with them as though
+trying to unfasten the laces of a pair of shoes. "Now your dress," the
+nurse ordered. Grace began awkwardly to remove the dressing-gown she had
+thrown about her. When the woman told her sharply to get into bed, she
+did so without a word, apparently quite unconscious of what she was
+doing. It was a splendid piece of acting, and she did it so well that if
+the nurse had any doubts as to the reality of her somnambulistic
+condition they were at once dispelled. As soon as the girl placed her
+head upon the pillows, she pretended to be sound asleep, her eyes
+closed, her breathing regular and slow. After a time, the attendant put
+out the light and left the room.</p>
+
+<p>The girl lay still for hours, wondering what there was in the strange
+conversation she had overheard that could help Richard in his efforts to
+recover the stolen snuff box. That it had been stolen she knew; that it
+had not yet been delivered to Dr. Hartmann she also knew. Perhaps
+Richard might have succeeded in recovering it before now; if not, the
+messenger bringing it to the doctor's office would undoubtedly arrive
+the next day. She determined to rise early, in order that she might, if
+possible, send word of what she had heard to Brussels by means of the
+young man who drove the delivery wagon.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+
+<p>When Richard Duvall left Dufrenne, the curio dealer, in Piccadilly
+Circus, and started after the man who had purchased the box of powder in
+the barber shop, he realized to the full the hopelessness of his task.
+The man had left the shop at least two minutes before Dufrenne came
+out&mdash;perhaps more, and another minute had been consumed by the latter in
+telling his story. Three minutes' start, in a crowded street at night,
+was a handicap which the detective could scarcely hope to overcome.</p>
+
+<p>He hurried along in the general direction the fellow had taken, trying
+to form in his mind a clear picture of his appearance. In the dim light
+before the shop he had not been able to observe him closely, nor had
+there, indeed, appeared any very good reason for doing so; he had
+thought the man but a belated customer of the place and had barely
+glanced at him.</p>
+
+<p>His experience in summing up at a glance the general characteristics of
+those he met, however, stood him in good stead&mdash;he remembered that the
+man had worn a long brown overcoat, a derby hat, and carried in his hand
+a small satchel. The latter, which Dufrenne had failed to mention,
+indicated a traveler&mdash;the man's words to Seltz, on purchasing the box of
+powder, seemed to confirm it. The man had walked, apparently, instead of
+taking a cab. Charing Cross station was but a short distance away. What
+more natural, Duvall reasoned, than that the man he was following, was
+on his way to take a train?</p>
+
+<p>Following this line of reasoning, the detective walked hastily in the
+direction of Charing Cross, dodging in and out among the passers-by, and
+eying keenly everyone he met, in the hope that he might discover the man
+with the satchel. He was, however, doomed to disappointment. After
+spending over fifteen minutes in Charing Cross station, watching the
+crowds at the booking offices, the telegraph and telephone booths and
+the restaurant, he concluded that he had been mistaken in his course of
+reasoning and reluctantly turned his steps once more toward the shop of
+M. Perrier. There was, of course, still the chance that his deductions
+had been wrong. Seltz might still have the snuff box in his possession,
+and the man with the satchel be merely a harmless individual who used
+rice powder after shaving. He almost reproached himself for having
+wasted so much time, and hurried along through Piccadilly Circus, in a
+state of considerable perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>As he came up to the shop, he saw Dufrenne standing before the window,
+his eyes glued to the pane. Something in his astonished expression
+attracted the detective's attention at once. He tapped the curio dealer
+lightly on the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne turned suddenly, much startled, then recognizing Duvall, drew
+him to one side. "I have watched the door every minute since you left,"
+he said in a trembling voice. "Seltz did not come out&mdash;yet he is not
+inside. No one is there but Monsieur Perrier."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall started back with a muttered exclamation. "You&mdash;you must be
+mistaken," he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Look!" The Frenchman pointed to the window. Duvall glanced within. The
+proprietor of the place was its only occupant.</p>
+
+<p>The detective turned to his companion and nodded. "Come inside," he
+said, shortly, and striding up to the door, threw it open and entered
+the place.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Perrier, startled half out of his wits by the suddenness with
+which Duvall entered the room, dropped the comb with which he had been
+arranging his hair and turned with an alarmed face. "The shop&mdash;it is
+closed for the night," he said. "My men have all gone home."</p>
+
+<p>"Has Seltz gone?" asked Duvall, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Seltz? Surely. He left immediately after shaving this gentleman."
+Perrier indicated Dufrenne with a fat and trembling forefinger. "Is
+anything wrong, gentlemen? Was the shave not satisfactory?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall looked at the curio dealer with a smile of chagrin. "It's
+perfectly clear, Dufrenne," he said, somewhat crestfallen. "Our man went
+out as we were walking up the street&mdash;while you were telling me what
+happened in the shop."</p>
+
+<p>The little old man nodded. Monsieur Perrier continued to gaze at his
+visitors. "What is it you wish, gentlemen?" he presently inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Where does Seltz live?" Duvall demanded, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Alas&mdash;I do not know. He has worked for me but three months. I knew
+nothing of him&mdash;nothing at all. He&mdash;he asked for leave of absence
+yesterday&mdash;he was to be gone a week, but to-night he told me that he
+would not go."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall's eyes lit up. He turned to Dufrenne. "After what
+happened&mdash;to-night," he said, significantly, "he feared to
+leave&mdash;thinking that his going away would be an admission of his guilt."</p>
+
+<p>Again Dufrenne nodded. Monsieur Perrier looked at them with bulging
+eyes. "Guilt!" he exclaimed. "Has this fellow Seltz been doing anything
+he should not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly," Duvall ejaculated, dryly. "Do you happen to know where he
+was going?"</p>
+
+<p>"He&mdash;he said something about visiting his parents. Oh&mdash;gentlemen&mdash;I beg
+of you, do not cause any scandal&mdash;it would ruin my trade. I shall
+discharge the fellow at once."</p>
+
+<p>"You will do nothing of the sort," exclaimed Duvall, angrily. "If he
+reports for duty to-morrow, say nothing to him of our visit, or it will
+be worse for you." He leaned toward the terrified barber. "I am a
+detective," he said, shortly. "Be careful what you do."</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Perrier sank upon his knees, his hands lifted in supplication.
+"<i>Mon Dieu</i>&mdash;what shall I do&mdash;my business&mdash;it will be desolated&mdash;what
+shall I do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Get up, and hold your tongue first of all. After that, tell me, if you
+can, where it was that Seltz intended to go, to visit his parents?"</p>
+
+<p>"He spoke of Brussels&mdash;he intended to take the night boat from Harwich
+to Antwerp. I heard him discussing his plans with one of the other men."</p>
+
+<p>"Brussels!" Duvall hurriedly glanced at his watch. "There's just time,
+if we hurry&mdash;come." He turned to Dufrenne, excitement showing in every
+line of his face. As he hurried toward the door he spoke over his
+shoulder to Monsieur Perrier. "Don't open your mouth to a soul&mdash;do you
+hear? If you do, you'll get yourself into a peck of trouble." The last
+thing they heard as they left the shop was the barber's howls of assent.</p>
+
+<p>At the corner Duvall signaled a passing cab. "Liverpool Street station,
+in a hurry," he cried. "Half a crown extra, if you make the boat train
+for Harwich."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne gazed at his companion in bewilderment. "I do not understand,
+Monsieur Duvall," he began, but the detective cut him short. "The thing
+is as plain as a pipe stem," he said. "Seltz expected to get the snuff
+box from the Ambassador's man this afternoon, and had made his
+arrangements to leave with it for Brussels at once. The events of the
+evening&mdash;culminating in No&euml;l's murder, made him fear to do so. He
+realized that the note, delivered to him by one of the Ambassador's
+servants, might attract suspicion toward him, and therefore wisely made
+up his mind to remain quietly where he was, sending the box by some
+friend. He dared not hand the box to him at any place outside the shop,
+for fear he might be watched. No doubt he arranged with his friend to
+come to the place just before closing, and to pretend to buy the face
+powder, as you saw him do. Seltz had only to turn the powder out of the
+package, put the snuff box inside, and the thing was done. This he no
+doubt did at some opportune moment during the evening, when he was
+certain he was not observed. It is a mighty clever scheme&mdash;I'll admit.
+You saw nothing suspicious about the transaction, and I confess that I
+did not realize its significance at the time. Naturally the man to whom
+he gave the box will make for Brussels at once, since it was to that
+point that Seltz intended going. No doubt he was operating in the
+interests of someone else&mdash;some third person to whom the box is of great
+value, and who has agreed to pay a large sum for it on delivery. You saw
+the fellow who bought the powder hand Seltz money&mdash;how much you could
+not tell. It may be that Seltz was obliged to divide the reward with his
+friend, and that the latter has already turned over to Seltz his share
+in advance. Of that we cannot be certain, nor is it material. Seltz is
+undoubtedly guilty of the murder of the man No&euml;l, but to stay here and
+arrest him now would only defeat the object we have in view. After the
+box has been recovered, we can return and deal with Seltz. You may be
+quite sure he will not dare to run away, for fear that by so doing he
+would admit his guilt."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne looked at the detective in admiration. "You reason well,
+monsieur," he remarked. "But why should they be taking the box to
+Brussels?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I cannot tell you, of course, except that, as I said before, the
+plot to steal it inevitably originated there. We shall learn more
+to-morrow, after we have arrived in the city. The next thing to be done
+is to find our man."</p>
+
+<p>They arrived at Liverpool Street station just in time to swing aboard
+the train for Harwich as it was pulling out. There were not many
+passengers&mdash;they found themselves in a smoking-compartment quite to
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no use in attempting to do anything until we reach Harwich,"
+the detective remarked, pulling his hat over his eyes. He leaned back
+and began to speculate disgustedly upon the events of the day. Married
+at noon&mdash;torn from his wife within an hour&mdash;in London at night&mdash;a
+murder&mdash;and now a wild chase to Brussels after a snuff box. It seemed
+almost ludicrous. He smiled grimly. He had not expected to spend in
+quite this way the first twelve hours of his honeymoon.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+
+<p>On the morning of her first day at Dr. Hartmann's sanatorium, Grace
+Duvall rose early, and dressed herself for a walk. She was determined,
+if possible, to communicate the results of her adventure the night
+before to the French police in Brussels, and realizing that to do so by
+the only means in her power, namely, the young man who drove the
+delivery wagon, might involve considerable risk of discovery, she
+dressed herself as simply as possible, in a dark-gray suit and white
+shirtwaist.</p>
+
+<p>She had her breakfast in her room, and then told the nurse that she
+intended to take a walk in the grounds. During breakfast she complained
+of the bread which was served her&mdash;and informed the maid that in her
+country people ate hot bread at breakfast. The woman seemed surprised.
+"Hot bread!" she exclaimed. "<i>Mon Dieu!</i> Who ever heard of such a
+thing."</p>
+
+<p>"If you bake your bread here in the house," Grace went on, "you could
+easily serve hot bread or rolls to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible, mademoiselle. All our bread comes from a bakery in the
+city. A young man brings it each morning at ten o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>Grace laughed inwardly. This was just the information for which she was
+seeking. It was then a little after nine. She felt tired and worn from
+her almost sleepless night, and her appearance showed it. When she told
+the nurse that she intended to take a stroll, and get some air, the
+latter nodded. "Dr. Hartmann has recommended it," she said. "He is a
+great believer in the value of fresh air." The woman made no reference
+to the events of the night before, nor did Grace. She knew that sleep
+walkers were not supposed to remember anything that occurred during
+their attacks of somnambulism.</p>
+
+<p>On the way out she met Dr. Hartmann, returning from his after-breakfast
+constitutional. He was just entering his office. "Good morning, Miss
+Ellicott," he said, pleasantly. "May I ask you to step inside a moment?
+There are a few questions I should like to ask you."</p>
+
+<p>She obeyed, much against her will. It was nearly half-past nine, she
+knew, and she must not miss the delivery man, if she was to send her
+message to Brussels. She heard the doctor saying that he would detain
+her but a few moments.</p>
+
+<p>His first question sent the color to her cheeks, and she hesitated
+before answering it, realizing that it was a trap. "Do you feel any the
+worse, miss, from the experiences of last night?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment she was about to say "no," but caught herself in time.
+"What experiences?" she asked, innocently enough. "Did I have an
+attack?"</p>
+
+<p>She fancied that the doctor appeared relieved. He smiled as he replied.
+"You wandered about a little. The nurse must have been negligent. I have
+reprimanded her. You might readily have a serious accident, if left to
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Grace looked at him with a smile which scarcely concealed her agitation.
+"I hope I caused no trouble," she said. "It is a frightful affliction. I
+trust you will be able to do something for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry, my dear young lady. We shall cure you beyond a doubt. I
+think, however, that it will be necessary to employ hypnosis. All cases
+such as yours respond most readily to hypnotic suggestion. However, I
+shall observe your case for a while longer, before making a decision.
+You are going out for a walk, I see."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I love the air." She rose with a secret fear of the man in her
+heart. If he should hypnotize her, what was there to prevent his
+learning everything. She determined to avoid this method of treatment at
+all costs, yet could not see how to do so without arousing his
+suspicions. "Good-morning," she said, hastily, as she left the room.</p>
+
+<p>The walk to the entrance gate in the fresh autumn air served to revive
+her spirits wonderfully. Her original intention had been to stroll down
+the avenue which fronted the house, in the hope of meeting the delivery
+wagon on the way. In a moment the futility of this plan became apparent.
+She did not know from which direction the wagon would appear, nor would
+she be able to recognize it, even should she be lucky enough to meet it.
+She paused at the gate, uncertain, then began to walk along a path which
+led among the trees and shrubbery, with one eye all the while upon the
+gateway at the entrance. Once or twice vehicles passing along the road
+outside startled her into sudden action; she went toward the gate only
+to find that they had passed on. The tenseness of the situation began to
+get on her nerves; in her fear she was certain that she was being
+watched from the house, or by the gardener in the distance who was
+engaged in taking the leaves from the graveled walks. She had almost
+given up in despair when she heard the rumble of an approaching cart,
+and saw a smart little wagon driven by a young man in a blue jacket with
+large brass buttons, enter the gate.</p>
+
+<p>She went quickly toward the roadway, pretending an interest in the
+horse. The young man saw her approaching, and looked at her shrewdly.
+She gave a slight nod, and continued to approach him. All of a sudden he
+threw down the reins, gave an exclamation, and jumping from the wagon,
+began to inspect the horse's feet with great deliberateness and care.</p>
+
+<p>Grace went up to the horse, and began patting its nose. "Poor fellow,"
+she said, consolingly, in English, looking all the while at the young
+man's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you Miss Ellicott?" he said suddenly in rather halting English,
+without turning his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes." Her reply was quick, eager. "Dr. Hartmann is expecting a
+messenger from London with the stolen snuff box to-day or to-morrow. I
+heard them talking about it, last night. The messenger is a stranger to
+him. He does not suspect that I am watching him."</p>
+
+<p>The boy nodded gravely. "You are instructed to remain near the front of
+the house, or in the reception-room inside, as much as possible, during
+the day. The man from London is expected this morning. He may be here at
+any moment. Keep your eyes open." He began to whistle merrily, pretended
+to remove a stone from one of the horse's shoes, sprang back into the
+wagon and drove off to the house, without paying any further attention
+to her.</p>
+
+<p>Grace walked slowly up the driveway, and finding a bench near a bed of
+geraniums, sat down and pretended to read a book which she had brought
+with her. After a time, the delivery wagon returned, but the boy did not
+even glance at her as he passed out. She noticed, however, that he was
+driving rapidly and appeared to be in a great hurry.</p>
+
+<p>She sat on the bench for over an hour, wondering what would be the next
+development in this mysterious affair. She could not shake off the idea
+that she would soon see Richard, in spite of the fact that she had no
+definite reasons upon which to base her hopes. One thing, however,
+seemed certain. If the man with the stolen snuff box had arrived in
+Brussels, it clearly meant that Richard had failed to capture him in
+London, and it seemed not unreasonable to suppose that he would be
+following him.</p>
+
+<p>She thought about the matter so much that it interfered with her
+attempts to read the book. After a while she closed it, and sat watching
+the distant gardener as he ceaselessly raked the gravel paths.
+Everything seemed so quiet, so full of peace&mdash;everything, in fact, but
+her own thoughts. Somehow it seemed impossible to believe that
+underneath all the beauty of this clear autumn day lay plotting, and
+tragedy, and even death.</p>
+
+<p>It was close to noon, when she ceased her musings, and rising, went
+toward the house. Sitting so long in the open air had made her a bit
+chilly. She determined to seek the grateful warmth of the
+reception-room. As she mounted the steps of the house she heard sounds
+of a cab being driven rapidly along the main street, and a sudden
+intuition warned her that something of an unusual nature was about to
+happen. She glanced back, as the servant opened the door in response to
+her ring, and was not surprised to see that the vehicle had entered the
+grounds, and was rapidly approaching the house.</p>
+
+<p>Her hasty glance showed her that it contained but a single occupant, a
+man, and in spite of the distance, she fancied that she detected
+something familiar about the poise of his head and shoulders. The
+thought was but momentary&mdash;she stepped at once into the reception-room
+at the right, sat down by the fire, and opening her book, pretended to
+be deeply absorbed in its contents. In reality she was observing
+narrowly the maid in the hallway, who stood at the open door, waiting to
+admit the man who was driving up in the cab.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>When Richard Duvall and Dufrenne arrived at Harwich, on their way from
+London, the former requested his companion to turn up his coat collar,
+pull his soft hat over his eyes, and put on his spectacles. He feared
+that the man they were trying to locate might recognize the curio dealer
+as the person who had occupied the chair next to him in Monsieur
+Perrier's barber shop earlier in the evening. He also requested the
+Frenchman to make his way to the boat alone, keeping a sharp lookout for
+the man in the brown overcoat.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall himself joined the straggling crowd of sleepy passengers as they
+went aboard the steamer for Antwerp, his eyes searching every passenger
+about him for some sight of the one he sought. Once he thought he
+recognized the man, a long way off, going up the steamer's gang plank,
+but he could not be sure, in the flickering light, that he was right.</p>
+
+<p>He went aboard the boat, in some doubt as to whether, after all, his
+course of reasoning might not be incorrect. Here he was bound for the
+Continent, on the heels of a man whom he had no real proof was not at
+this moment sleeping peacefully in his bed in London.</p>
+
+<p>The situation was a trying one. He lit a cigar and began to pace the
+deck nervously, inspecting the few passengers who had elected to remain
+outside, before directing his steps to the saloon below.</p>
+
+<p>After some five minutes spent in a useless search, he observed a
+familiar figure approaching him from the direction of the companionway,
+and at once saw that it was Dufrenne. The latter passed him without any
+sign of recognition, but just as their elbows were almost touching, said
+in a low voice, "He is below, in the saloon, monsieur. Has not taken a
+stateroom."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall continued his walk about the decks for a few moments longer, then
+threw away his cigar, and descended to the saloon. A number of
+passengers were dozing on the sofas, or in chairs, and at a table
+several were playing cards. He paused for a moment to watch the game,
+his eyes searching the room for the man in the brown overcoat. After a
+time he located him, sprawled in an easy chair, his eyes closed, his
+satchel tossed carelessly upon the floor beside him.</p>
+
+<p>The detective began to stroll about the place, as though in deep
+thought. His eyes were fixed, however, upon the face of the man in the
+chair. It was a determined face, as the thin lips and close-set eyes
+showed, but Duvall noted with satisfaction signs of weakness about the
+half-open mouth. The man was undoubtedly sleeping soundly.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall was at a loss to know just what to do. He was convinced that the
+ivory snuff box, upon the recovery of which Monsieur Lefevre had assured
+him the honor of France itself depended, was within ten feet of him, yet
+he could do nothing, apparently, at the moment, to regain it. To arrest
+the man, except on French soil, was out of the question. Even could he
+do so, the package which the latter had so carelessly slipped into his
+overcoat pocket in Monsieur Perrier's shop might contain, after all, but
+a harmless box of rice powder, and he would be hard put to explain
+satisfactorily his action. On the other hand, the presence of the snuff
+box on the man's person, supposing this to be beyond question, was not
+in itself sufficient to warrant placing him under arrest. He might claim
+it as his own property. There was nothing to show that it had been
+stolen. Clearly the only thing to do was to attempt to get the box from
+him by stealth.</p>
+
+<p>After a long time spent in debating the matter pro and con., Duvall
+threw himself into a chair close to the one which the man he was
+watching occupied, and pretended to sleep. Of Dufrenne he saw nothing.
+After perhaps an hour, the card game ceased, the players retired to
+their staterooms, or to near-by sofas, and a steward began to lower the
+lights. Presently not a sound was to be heard throughout the saloon,
+except the chorus of snores from the sleeping passengers, and the
+creaking of the vessel as she plunged into the heavy Channel swell.</p>
+
+<p>The detective slowly advanced his foot, and with infinite patience,
+began to draw toward him the small leather satchel which lay beside the
+man's chair. He did this so slowly and imperceptibly that the operation
+occupied the best part of a quarter of an hour. At last the bag was
+safely pushed beneath the folds of his overcoat, which he had removed on
+sitting down, and now lay thrown carelessly over his knees.</p>
+
+<p>He bent over, noiselessly, his hand beneath the folds of the coat, and
+began to fumble with the catch of the satchel. In a few moments he
+managed to open it, and with nervous fingers examined the contents of
+the bag. Guided by the sense of touch only, he was able to identify
+successively a razor case, a shaving brush, a cotton nightshirt and a
+number of other articles of an ordinary and usual nature. He had almost
+given up the search, when his fingers closed about a small round object,
+done up in paper. His heart gave a leap of joy. He could feel the coarse
+string with which the package was bound and could tell from its
+lightness that it contained probably what he sought. In a moment he had
+drawn it noiselessly from the satchel and transferred it to the pocket
+of his coat.</p>
+
+<p>The process of closing the bag and returning it to its former position
+was accomplished without waking the sleeping occupant of the near-by
+chair. Duvall was conscious of a feeling of exultation. He yawned,
+stretched himself, glanced with great deliberation at his watch, then
+rose and quietly left the room.</p>
+
+<p>The decks seemed deserted. After some trouble he managed, however, to
+locate Dufrenne, standing beside the rail in the shadow of one of the
+lifeboats. He went up to him and saw that his teeth were chattering with
+the cold. Duvall could not repress a feeling of admiration for the
+little old Frenchman, who, rather than risk for a moment his
+identification by the man they were following, had elected to spend the
+night wandering about the decks. His patriotism was proof against even
+the cold.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall touched him gently on the arm. "I have secured it," he remarked,
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne turned. "The snuff box?" he whispered excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>The detective nodded, and cautiously drew the circular package from his
+pocket. "It was in his satchel," he remarked, as he began to remove the
+string.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne's lips moved. He seemed to be offering up a silent prayer of
+thanks. He was scarcely able to contain his impatience as the detective
+slowly unwrapped the parcel, disclosing a small blue pasteboard box, on
+the cover of which, in black, appeared the words, "Poudre Perrier." In a
+moment Duvall had removed the lid, and plunged his finger into the box.
+As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of utter astonishment and
+disgust. The box contained nothing but rice powder.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+
+<p>It would be difficult to describe the feelings of annoyance and chagrin
+which swept over Richard Duvall as he tossed the box of Monsieur
+Perrier's rice powder over the side of the vessel and watched it float
+for a moment on the crest of a wave before being swept into the
+darkness. He glanced for an instant at his companion, then turned away
+as he saw the latter's stare of astonishment and dismay. He wanted to be
+alone, to think out this matter for himself.</p>
+
+<p>With a confusion of ideas racing through his brain he began to pace the
+deck, trying to discover wherein his reasoning had been at fault. He
+went back to the gruesome scene at the house of the Ambassador&mdash;the
+murdered valet, with the grim seal of silence upon his lips. Whoever had
+committed this murder had made away with the snuff box, of that he felt
+certain. Upon what, then, did his suspicions of Seltz rest? The evidence
+was slender&mdash;merely that the latter had had an appointment to meet the
+murdered man that afternoon, and that a person answering Seltz's
+description had inquired for the latter at the servants' entrance at
+Monsieur de Grissac's that evening. Not very convincing, surely, yet
+taken with Seltz's evident intention to leave London for Brussels that
+night, certainly significant. Following then his original hypothesis,
+that Seltz was the guilty man, and had the box in his possession, two
+solutions of the matter only seemed possible. The first was, the man in
+the saloon below, anticipating perhaps some attempt to search his
+baggage, had deliberately provided himself, through Seltz, with a second
+package, containing a box of rice powder only, which he had placed in
+his satchel, in the belief that, if found, its innocent contents would
+divert from him further suspicion. The careless way in which he had
+thrown his satchel on the floor beside him, favored this theory. It
+seemed, on sober thought, extremely unlikely that the bearer of so
+valuable a piece of property would be so thoughtless as to place it
+loosely in an unlocked handbag. Even now the real package might be
+reposing safely in some secure inner pocket.</p>
+
+<p>The other solution was equally probable. The purchase of the face powder
+might have been quite innocent and <i>bona fide</i>. The man below might know
+nothing whatever about the snuff box, and Seltz might even now be on his
+way to Brussels to dispose of it, in accordance with his original
+intentions. If so, however, why had he informed Monsieur Perrier that he
+had changed his mind, and would not take the vacation he had requested?
+Was this merely a blind, to avert suspicion, in case the unexpected
+murder of the man No&euml;l resulted in inquiries being made of Monsieur
+Perrier? Of course, when Seltz had spoken of his intention to go to
+Brussels, no thought of murder was in his mind&mdash;he had no vital object
+in hiding his movements&mdash;not having any reason to suppose that suspicion
+could possibly be attracted to him. After the sending of the note to him
+by No&euml;l, he must have realized the danger of his position, and told
+Monsieur Perrier that his plans had changed, while in reality fully
+intending to carry them out as he had originally intended.</p>
+
+<p>There was, of course, a possible third solution, namely, that Seltz had
+nothing to do with the murder at all, and was merely an innocent barber,
+quite unaware of all the mystery that was being woven about himself and
+his movements. In that event, as Duvall realized with the deepest
+chagrin, he would be obliged to return to London, and begin his
+investigations all over again. In this event, there could be but one
+starting point&mdash;the murder of the valet. Yet his painstaking examination
+of the scene of the murder had shown an utter absence of any clues. Even
+the weapon which had caused the valet's death was his own property&mdash;the
+finger print on the seal which closed his lips made with his own
+forefinger. And here the detective began to feel a deep sense of doubt
+as to the accuracy of his conclusions regarding Seltz's guilt. Would a
+man of his type have taken the trouble to place the gruesome seal upon
+the dead man's lips? This seemed, on second thoughts, the act of a
+hardened and unfeeling criminal&mdash;a man to whom murder was a scientific
+accomplishment, not a hasty and hideous crime. Was Seltz such a man?
+There was no answer to this question&mdash;the fleeting glimpses which Duvall
+had secured of his face, through the barber-shop window, had told him
+little or nothing of the man's character.</p>
+
+<p>One fact, however, presently forced itself upon the detective's mind. If
+Seltz had left the shop for Brussels that night, according to his
+original intention, he must be somewhere on the boat. No night route
+from London to Belgium existed, except that by way of Harwich. He blamed
+himself that in his eagerness to discover the stranger with the satchel
+he had not thought to look for Seltz.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the conclusion of his deliberations, Duvall crossed over to the
+other side of the boat, where he had left Dufrenne. The little old
+Frenchman stood gazing down at the sea, his face blue with cold, and
+filled with a look of bitter disappointment. He did not even glance up,
+as Duvall joined him.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Monsieur Dufrenne," the detective said, kindly. "Let us go
+below."</p>
+
+<p>The old man accompanied him without a word. As they reached the
+companionway, however, he spoke. "We must return to London at once," he
+said. "This same boat will take us back to Harwich."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Duvall agreed, "unless we discover that Seltz is aboard."</p>
+
+<p>"Seltz?" The Frenchman looked up, puzzled, yet with an expression of
+renewed hope in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. We have apparently followed the wrong man. In that case, why not
+search for the right one. If Seltz is on board, we will follow him to
+Brussels. If not, we will return to London. We can make sure, when the
+passengers are discharged at Antwerp."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne nodded eagerly. "It may indeed be possible," he remarked, as
+they entered the saloon.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the passengers were on deck when the steamer reached her wharf
+at Antwerp, but in spite of a careful search, Duvall was unable to
+locate Seltz amongst them. He stood by the gang plank, watching the
+crowd as it left the boat, his eyes searching restlessly for the swarthy
+countenance of the barber. He had almost given up hope, when he saw a
+belated passenger hurriedly cross the deck and dart up the gang plank.
+He moved rapidly, his throat muffled in a blue neckcloth, his slouch hat
+pulled down over his eyes, but the glance which Duvall obtained of his
+somewhat scared face told him at once that he had located his man.</p>
+
+<p>He signaled quietly to Dufrenne, who had been standing discreetly in the
+background for fear the barber might recognize him, and the two left the
+boat together, some forty or more yards in Seltz's rear.</p>
+
+<p>They did not make any attempt to follow him closely. There seemed no
+room for doubt that he was bound for the train to Brussels, and Duvall
+and his companion followed along at a leisurely pace, showing nothing of
+the agitation they so keenly felt.</p>
+
+<p>They purposely avoided any attempt to enter the same compartment with
+the barber, being satisfied when they saw him climb aboard the train.
+They did, however, watch the departing passengers at all stops, and when
+they rolled into the station at Brussels, they were certain that their
+man was aboard. Nor were they mistaken. They saw him alight, look
+swiftly about as though fearing that he was being followed, and then
+start at a rapid pace toward the street.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall went after him at once, directing Dufrenne to go to the Hotel
+Metropole and secure a room in his own name, where he was to wait until
+he heard from his companion. These instructions given, the detective
+began to follow Seltz up the street.</p>
+
+<p>The man evidently knew the town well. He made no pauses, and did not
+hesitate at any time during his long walk. It terminated at a small,
+third-class hotel in the older part of the city, where he went in,
+entered the caf&eacute;, and selecting a table in a dim corner, ordered
+breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall, feeling safe in leaving him, at once sought a telephone and
+proceeded to call up Dufrenne at the Hotel Metropole.</p>
+
+<p>The latter, meanwhile, had turned from the railway station, and was
+proceeding up the street at a leisurely pace, when a young man
+approached him from behind, and touched him lightly on the shoulder.
+"Monsieur Dufrenne?" he inquired, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>The curio dealer glanced at the man who had accosted him, and an
+answering smile lit up his face. "Oh, Lablanche, glad to see you," he
+said. "I did not know you were on this case."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Lefevre sent me from Paris last night. We are expecting news
+at any moment. Monsieur Duvall is with you, I observe."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He is following the man from London. He will telephone me, as soon
+as he learns his destination."</p>
+
+<p>The man whom Dufrenne had addressed as Lablanche, looked grave. "This
+affair has, we believe, been engineered by a physician here&mdash;Dr.
+Hartmann&mdash;you have heard of him, of course."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne turned to his companion. "Hartmann&mdash;the man of the stolen war
+plans. <i>Mon Dieu!</i> Why did I not think of him before?" He seemed deeply
+chagrined. "Of course&mdash;of course&mdash;that explains everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Monsieur Duvall to communicate with you?" Dufrenne's companion
+asked. His voice held a note of brisk authority.</p>
+
+<p>"At the Hotel Metropole. I shall take a room there at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Good. I must leave you for a short time. Await news from me at the
+hotel. I shall, I hope, be able to inform you, within half an hour,
+whether our suspicions regarding Dr. Hartmann are correct or not. If
+they are, you will of course advise Monsieur Duvall accordingly. Above
+all things, the delivery of the snuff box to Hartmann must be prevented.
+On that point the Prefect was emphatic." The young man turned into a
+cross street as he concluded and was swallowed up in the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne, after securing his room at the Hotel Metropole, sat down to
+wait. He did not have to wait long. The young man, Lablanche, joined him
+in a short time. "We have just learned," he said, gravely, "that our
+suspicions are entirely correct. Dr. Hartmann is responsible for the
+theft of the snuff box, and is momentarily expecting the man who is to
+deliver it to him."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne looked grave. "Duvall should know this without delay," he said.</p>
+
+<p>He had no more than spoken, when the telephone bell in his room rang. He
+hastened to reply and found Duvall at the other end of the wire. "Come
+to the Hotel Universelle," the latter said, laconically. "Hurry. I will
+wait for you."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne communicated the message to Lablanche. The latter nodded.
+"Good!" he said. "Give Monsieur Duvall the information you have, and
+above all, impress upon him the necessity of acting immediately. There
+is no time for delay. I will follow at once, with another of our men."</p>
+
+<p>The curio dealer found Duvall pacing anxiously up and down the hotel
+corridor, pretending to be searching a railway time-table. He nodded
+imperceptibly toward the caf&eacute; as Dufrenne entered, then turned and went
+out into the street. The old man followed him&mdash;in a few moments they
+were conversing rapidly in the doorway of a near-by shop.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne had but a few words to say, but they were sufficient to show
+Duvall the extreme gravity of the situation. He stood for several
+moments, considering the best way by which the delivery of the stolen
+snuff box to Dr. Hartmann might be prevented. Then he signaled a cab
+which he saw approaching. "Seltz is breakfasting&mdash;inside," he said
+quickly to Dufrenne. "Don't let him out of your sight. I am going to see
+Dr. Hartmann." He sprang into the cab, gave the doctor's name to the
+cabman, and in a moment was being driven rapidly up the street, leaving
+the little old Frenchman standing blinking with astonishment on the
+sidewalk.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+
+<p>When Richard Duvall left the Hotel Universelle, en route to the office
+of Dr. Hartmann, he had no definite idea of just what he intended to do
+on reaching there. One thought was uppermost in his mind&mdash;he must
+prevent, in some way, and at any cost, the delivery of the snuff box to
+Hartmann, and since to follow Seltz to the latter's office would avail
+him nothing, he decided to precede him there.</p>
+
+<p>During the drive, he began to formulate a plan, daring in its
+conception, extremely dangerous in its execution, yet one which, if
+carried out with courage and determination, promised success. He was
+perfecting in his mind the details of this plan when the carriage turned
+into the driveway at Dr. Hartmann's.</p>
+
+<p>So occupied had he become with his thoughts that he failed to observe
+the figure of Grace, standing behind the maid in the open doorway; she
+disappeared into the reception-room before he had alighted from the cab.
+He went up to the servant, assumed an air of dignified assurance, and
+announced that he wished to see Dr. Hartmann at once.</p>
+
+<p>The maid ushered him in, glanced into the parlor, observed Grace sitting
+there, apparently reading, and then throwing open the door to the left
+which gave admittance to the doctor's office, bade Duvall enter. The
+latter stepped in at once, without looking into the room across the
+hall. Had he done so, he would have observed his wife, whom he fully
+supposed to be quietly waiting for him in Paris, rise from her chair
+with a frightened face and start impulsively toward him.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Grace was on the point of calling out&mdash;she wanted to let
+Richard know that she was there. She wanted to see him&mdash;to talk to him,
+to realize the happiness of being once again in his presence. It had
+been, since their parting the day before, her constant thought. Then she
+suddenly realized that Monsieur Lefevre had warned her not to appear to
+recognize her husband, should she meet him in the course of her
+adventures. The thought checked her&mdash;she paused at the door of the
+reception-room and glanced down the hall.</p>
+
+<p>The servant who had admitted Duvall had disappeared toward the rear of
+the house. Everything about her seemed quiet. She started across the
+hall, determined to enter the room into which Richard had just vanished,
+when she heard the sound of rapid footsteps approaching her. With a
+start she turned and again entered the parlor, assuming a careless
+manner she by no means felt.</p>
+
+<p>She had scarcely seated herself in the chair by the fire, and opened her
+book, when she saw Dr. Hartmann appear in the hall and enter the door
+which led to the outer office.</p>
+
+<p>Grace was undecided as to what she should do next. Her safest course,
+she ultimately concluded, was to do nothing. She remained quietly in her
+seat, pretending to read her book, but all the while watching, with
+anxious eyes, the door on the other side of the hall.</p>
+
+<p>Richard Duvall, meanwhile, had entered the waiting room, his mind fully
+made up as to the course he was about to pursue. During the few moments
+which intervened, until the doctor's arrival, he looked keenly about the
+room, examining it in detail, fixing its entrances and exits firmly in
+his mind, so as to be prepared for any emergency which might arise.</p>
+
+<p>The room was a large one. Along the side facing the entrance door, as
+well as that which fronted on the park, were big curtained windows, set
+in deep recesses, and between them, cases of books. At the far end of
+the room, toward the rear of the house, was another door. Duvall stole
+over to it, listened carefully, then slowly opened it and looked within.
+The room proved to be the doctor's private office, and he saw at once
+that it was built in a sort of ell, and could not be entered except
+through the room in which he stood. There was a door, it is true, in the
+right-hand wall, which had once given entrance to the hall, but against
+this a heavy instrument case, with glass doors, now stood.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall withdrew his head and shoulders from the doorway, nodding to
+himself in a satisfied way, then noiselessly closed the door and
+returned to the center of the room.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment Dr. Hartmann came in, glancing at him sharply.
+"Good-morning, sir," he remarked, in French. "You wish to see me?"</p>
+
+<p>The detective took a card-case from his pocket and tendered the doctor a
+card. It was one of many which he carried for such emergencies, and bore
+the name of Stephen Brooks.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, pleasantly. "I came to consult you concerning a curious
+case."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" The doctor looked at the card carelessly. "I see that you are
+an American." He began to speak in English. "Sit down, please."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you." Duvall took a chair.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the nature of the case, may I ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"Doctor&mdash;I've heard so much of your wonderful cures&mdash;of your remarkable
+success in treating mental disorders, that I have ventured to come to
+you in the hope that you may be able to help me."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor smiled, not displeased at the other's flattery. "What is the
+cause of your trouble, Mr. Brooks?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall observed him thoughtfully for a moment. "If a person has
+delusions upon one particular subject, is he on that account necessarily
+insane?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all. Manias of various sorts are not uncommon, and generally
+curable. Why do you ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I want you to treat such a case."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor considered his patient narrowly. "Of course, you understand,
+Mr. Brooks, that my professional charges are very high."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall took out his pocketbook and removing from it a note for a hundred
+francs, laid it carelessly on the table. "I have understood so, Doctor,"
+he remarked. "Luckily I am a man of considerable wealth."</p>
+
+<p>"In that event," Hartmann remarked, eying the bill in a gratified way,
+"I am at your service. What is the nature of your complaint?"</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't about myself that I have come," Duvall hastened to inform him.
+"It concerns a man in my employ&mdash;my valet, to be exact."</p>
+
+<p>"Your valet?" The doctor frowned, and made as though to rise. "My dear
+sir&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"One moment, please, Doctor. The man is a most worthy fellow. He has
+been in my service for years. A Belgian, too, I think. I have a very
+high regard for him&mdash;an excellent servant, except for the peculiar
+delusions with which he has lately become possessed."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear that I cannot undertake his treatment, Mr. Brooks. I receive
+only a few patients, and those of the highest standing."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that. I did not propose to have the man quartered here in your
+house. I merely want you to examine him, in order that I may find out
+whether his case is curable or not. If it is, I shall take him to Paris
+and place him under treatment&mdash;if not, I must, of course, discharge him.
+It is for that reason that I have come to you."</p>
+
+<p>"What are the man's symptoms?" asked the doctor, shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"He imagines, from time to time, that he has been robbed."</p>
+
+<p>"That is by no means uncommon. I have seen many such cases. Are these
+delusions confined to any one subject?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. At times he fancies that money has been taken from him. At other
+times, jewelry that he has never possessed. Once he accused me of
+robbing him of a pair of shoes, and demanded that I pay him a large sum
+of money for them. I have generally succeeded in quieting him by
+assuring him that the stolen articles would be forthcoming later on."</p>
+
+<p>"Excellent. And how long has this condition been in evidence?"</p>
+
+<p>"About a month, now. During the past week, however, the attacks have
+been more frequent. Last night he informed me that someone had taken
+from him a diamond ring&mdash;of course he had never owned one&mdash;and wanted
+five thousand francs in return. I assured him that I would get him the
+money this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"The case does not seem particularly difficult, Mr. Brooks, from what
+you tell me. Of course I could determine better after a personal
+examination."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly. And if you find no other conditions of an alarming nature, you
+think a cure possible?"</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly. When can I see the man?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall took out his watch. "I requested him to meet me here to-day at
+noon," he said. "I did not tell him he was coming for a medical
+examination. He might have refused to come. I let him think that you
+might be able to recover the diamond ring he thinks has been stolen from
+him. I thought it best to humor him. I should have brought him with me,
+but he had arranged to go this morning to see his people, who live in
+the town. He was to come directly here, after leaving them." He went
+over to the window and looked toward the road. "I am surprised that he
+is so late. Usually he is punctuality itself."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor rose. "No doubt he will be here very soon," he remarked. "You
+can wait here, if you like. I will join you on his arrival. Meanwhile,
+as I have some matters to attend to in my office, I beg that you will
+excuse me." He opened the door at the rear of the room, which led to his
+private office. "When the man arrives, kindly let me know."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall glanced toward the door through which Dr. Hartmann had just
+passed, then paused for several moments, listening; then he walked
+noiselessly across the room, and paused before the study door. Within
+all was quiet. Stooping down, he applied his eye to the keyhole. Dr.
+Hartmann sat at a large rosewood desk, busily writing.</p>
+
+<p>With a smile of satisfaction the detective arose, and going to the door
+which led to the hall, drew from the lock the key which stood in it, and
+then, opening the door slightly, inserted the key in the lock on the
+other side of the door. As he did so, he peered out across the hall, and
+for a moment the key almost dropped from his fingers. There, facing him,
+sat Grace, his wife, whom he had supposed to be safely in Paris. The
+sight for a moment completely upset him&mdash;he paused, gazing at her with
+an expression of incredulity.</p>
+
+<p>Grace rose, and came toward her husband, her face pale, her lips parted.
+"Richard," she whispered softly, then became suddenly silent as he
+pressed his finger to his lips.</p>
+
+<p>As they stood there thus, facing each other in grave uncertainty, Duvall
+heard the sound of a vehicle being driven up the graveled road. He
+glanced toward the glass entrance door and saw a cab approaching the
+house, in which sat Seltz. He turned to Grace, and spoke in a voice so
+low as to be scarcely audible.</p>
+
+<p>"Open the door at once&mdash;before the man can ring. Pretend to be a maid.
+Show him in here immediately. Quick." He withdrew into the waiting-room,
+leaving Grace staring at him in amazement. For a moment she hesitated.
+It seemed so cruel, to be this near to him, and yet to not even be able
+to touch his hand! Then she went quickly to the front door and threw it
+open as Seltz came up the steps.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+
+<p>Richard Duvall, alone in Dr. Hartmann's outer office, had not long to
+wait. He had hardly succeeded in throwing off the agitation which the
+unexpected sight of Grace had caused him, when the door from the hall
+was opened, and Grace admitted Seltz to the room.</p>
+
+<p>The latter glanced at Duvall with a curious look, but said nothing.
+Grace withdrew, closing the door quietly after her. The detective went
+up to the newcomer and addressed him in a low tone.</p>
+
+<p>"You are Oscar Seltz, from London?" he asked, bluntly.</p>
+
+<p>The man appeared greatly taken back. "Yes," he said, haltingly. "I wish
+to see Dr. Hartmann."</p>
+
+<p>"About the snuff box, of course?"</p>
+
+<p>Again the man started. "Who are you?" he asked, suddenly suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>"I am Dr. Hartmann's assistant. He has been waiting for you. You have
+the box with you, of course?"</p>
+
+<p>The man felt carefully in his pocket, and presently drew out a small
+object done up in paper. "Yes, I have it. The price was to be
+twenty-five hundred francs."</p>
+
+<p>"That is correct," remarked the detective. "Give it to me."</p>
+
+<p>Seltz drew back his hand. "I want the money first, and I cannot deliver
+it to any one but Dr. Hartmann."</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Hartmann is in the next room," said Duvall, with a pleasant smile.
+"He has the money all ready for you. I will call him. But first, let me
+see if you have really secured what we want." He held out his hand.
+"Don't be afraid," he said. "I shall not leave the room. The box will
+not be out of your sight."</p>
+
+<p>Seltz appeared to consider the matter for a brief moment, but the
+detective's manner reassured him. He extended the package toward Duvall.
+"It is there, all right," he laughed, softly. "And a hard time I had
+getting it."</p>
+
+<p>Without making any comment, Duvall took the package, quickly tore off
+the coarse paper wrappings, and saw inside a small round ivory box, its
+top ornamented with a number of small pearls, arranged in a circular
+design about its circumference. He glanced swiftly at it, crushed the
+paper into his pocket, then started toward the door at the rear.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you going?" demanded Seltz, harshly, his hand going toward
+his pocket, as though for a weapon.</p>
+
+<p>"To call the doctor, my man," Duvall replied. "Don't excite yourself. He
+will be here in a moment, with your money." Without a moment's
+hesitation he crossed to the study door and tapped lightly upon it. As
+he did so, his back was toward Seltz, hence the latter did not see the
+swift movement, by which he conveyed the snuff box to the pocket of his
+waistcoat. When, after a few moments' delay, Dr. Hartmann appeared on
+the threshold, Duvall's hands were both quite empty.</p>
+
+<p>As the doctor entered the room, the detective gave a quick nod toward
+Seltz. "My man," he remarked, in a low tone. "He seems to be rather bad,
+this morning;" then aloud, "Oscar, this is Doctor Hartmann."</p>
+
+<p>Seltz bowed, then stood uncomfortably, shifting his weight from one foot
+to the other as the doctor bent upon him a searching glance. "Sit down,
+my good fellow," the latter presently remarked, as he took a chair.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I don't think I had better, sir," he stammered. "I am in somewhat of
+a hurry&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The doctor interrupted him, in a soothing voice. "There, there. Sit
+down. I want to talk to you."</p>
+
+<p>Seltz glanced helplessly toward Duvall, apparently somewhat confused by
+the reception which Dr. Hartmann had accorded him. It was not entirely
+what he had expected.</p>
+
+<p>"I have explained everything to the doctor," remarked Duvall hastily.
+"He understands about the money you requested." He looked significantly
+at Dr. Hartmann.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I hope the matter can be settled at once," said Seltz, apparently
+much relieved. He made no movement to sit down, but continued to look
+expectantly at Dr. Hartmann.</p>
+
+<p>The latter nodded in a grave and reassuring way. "Give yourself no
+uneasiness, my man. Everything will be satisfactorily arranged.
+Meanwhile, sit down, if you please, and tell me something about
+yourself. I understand you have been greatly worried, of late. Not quite
+yourself&mdash;let us say."</p>
+
+<p>Seltz looked at him in blank amazement. "I haven't been worried by
+anything, except the business which brought me here. I want my money&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly&mdash;exactly," the doctor assented, in a soothing voice. "You shall
+have your money in due time. I promise you that. But first sit down and
+let us have a little chat."</p>
+
+<p>Seltz sat down, helplessly. Apparently he was at a loss as to just what
+to say next. The doctor had told him that the money he expected would be
+forthcoming&mdash;he resigned himself in patience to await the latter's
+pleasure. For a moment he glanced at Duvall, however. "You should not
+have taken it from me," he said, peevishly.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall looked quickly at Dr. Hartmann. The latter at once spoke up.
+"Give the matter no further thought, my man," he said, gravely. "I will
+see that you are fairly treated. But before we go ahead, I want you to
+tell me more about yourself&mdash;your life&mdash;your amusements&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What the devil have my amusements got to do with the matter?" exclaimed
+Seltz, his voice trembling with anger. "I tell you I want my money."</p>
+
+<p>"And I tell you you shall have it. But, now, I insist that you let the
+matter drop for the present and answer my questions, otherwise I can do
+nothing to help you."</p>
+
+<p>The remark quieted Seltz somewhat. He was, after all, in a peculiar
+position. The snuff box was gone. He cursed his stupidity in having let
+it pass out of his possession before the price agreed upon for its
+delivery had been forthcoming. That Dr. Hartmann did not question the
+payment of the money, however, was reassuring. He determined to answer
+as well as he could whatever questions the doctor might see fit to ask
+him.</p>
+
+<p>The latter continued to examine his supposed patient with a shrewdly
+professional air. "How old are you, my man?" he suddenly inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Thirty-six."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you drink?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;I&mdash;I drink occasionally."</p>
+
+<p>"Use any drugs?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>"Appetite good?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Sleep well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;pretty well."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you had any shock, recently. Has anything happened to make you
+nervous, or excitable?"</p>
+
+<p>Seltz glanced nervously from Duvall to the doctor and back again. What,
+he wondered, was the purpose of this examination? Was Dr. Hartmann
+trying to lead him into damaging admissions concerning the method he had
+employed to secure the snuff box? He scowled, then suddenly spoke. "It's
+none of your affair, is it? if I have."</p>
+
+<p>"Oscar!" said Duvall, in a tone of remonstrance. "Don't speak to the
+doctor in that way."</p>
+
+<p>"Oscar!" The man turned on the detective angrily. "Look here&mdash;you took
+that&mdash;that&mdash;" he hesitated, fearful that some trap had been set for
+him&mdash;"that article away from me&mdash;now see that I get my money."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor glanced at Duvall. "He seems to be possessed with the one
+idea," he remarked, <i>sotto voce</i>, then turned to Seltz again. "My good
+man, I have already assured you that Mr. Brooks and myself will see that
+you get your money. What more do you want?"</p>
+
+<p>"I want the money," Seltz cried, losing his patience, "and I want it
+quick." He sprang from his chair, and his hand shot toward his pocket,
+whence it reappeared in a moment with a revolver. "No more of this
+nonsense, now. I want the cash."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor, who had also sprung to his feet, started toward the angry
+barber with outstretched hands. Seltz whirled on him, the revolver
+pointed directly at Hartmann's head. "Keep off," he cried. In his
+excitement he had forgotten Duvall, who at once seized him from behind.
+"Look out, Doctor," he cried, as he threw his arm about the fellow's
+neck and slowly throttled him. "He's gone quite insane&mdash;dangerous&mdash;take
+away the revolver."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, he tightened his arm about Seltz's throat until the latter
+gasped for breath. The revolver fell from his nerveless grasp&mdash;he
+clutched at the detective's arm and tried to tear it from his throat,
+all the while groaning and sputtering at a great rate.</p>
+
+<p>"Hopelessly insane, I fear," said the doctor, as he picked up the fallen
+revolver. "You had best take him away at once."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Doctor, I can't do anything with him in this violent state. Can't
+you give him something to quiet him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing but a hypodermic. He wouldn't swallow a drug, I fear."</p>
+
+<p>"Then give him a hypodermic at once. I've got to get him away from here,
+somehow." He tightened his hold on Seltz's throat as the latter
+struggled furiously, trying his best to get away. Luckily for Duvall,
+his adversary was a man of only moderate strength, but he struggled like
+the madman the doctor supposed him to be, trying in vain to speak. The
+detective's arm, however, tightly wound about his throat, effectually
+prevented his cries from becoming intelligible.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so sorry, Doctor," Duvall went on, as Hartmann prepared his
+hypodermic needle and approaching the struggling man, took hold of one
+of his arms and bared it with a quick motion. "I wouldn't have subjected
+you to all this annoyance for anything. The poor fellow has been getting
+worse for days, but I had no idea, when he left me this morning, that he
+would be like this."</p>
+
+<p>"It frequently happens," the doctor remarked, as he pressed the syringe
+into the man's forearm and then withdrew it quickly. "There&mdash;he'll soon
+be all right now. Just hold him there for a few moments longer, Mr.
+Brooks and he'll be sleeping like a child."</p>
+
+<p>Even as he spoke, the struggles of the man in Duvall's arms became less
+violent&mdash;his efforts to cry out less vigorous. "It's a sad case," the
+detective remarked. "I am very much afraid that he must be sent to an
+asylum."</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly the best place for him, my dear sir," remarked Hartmann,
+dryly. "I see your cab is waiting, outside. As soon as the man is quiet,
+I will have one of my attendants help you to carry him to it." He went
+over to Seltz, who was now struggling faintly, and felt his pulse. "He
+is quite harmless now," he observed, looking keenly into the man's face.
+"I will call one of my men." He went to the wall and pressed an electric
+button.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall allowed the limp body of the barber to slip softly into a chair.
+"Poor Oscar!" he said, musingly, looking down at the huddled-up figure.
+"What a pity! Such a faithful fellow, too!" He turned to Hartmann. "I
+feel almost as though I had lost an old friend."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor smiled. "Rather a dangerous one, I should say," he remarked,
+as he glanced at the revolver on the table. "You will want this, I
+suppose."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall took the revolver and thrust it into his pocket. "Might as well
+take it along, I suppose, doctor. Now about my bill&mdash;do I owe you
+anything in addition to the fee I paid you on my arrival?" He felt for
+his pocketbook.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, my dear sir." The doctor smiled. "I feel that in accepting
+your fee I am robbing you." He drew the note from his pocket, but Duvall
+waved it aside.</p>
+
+<p>"I insist, my dear sir. You have given me your valuable time, at least,
+even if you could do this poor fellow no good." He paused, as an
+attendant in a gray uniform entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Max," said the doctor, addressing the man, "help this gentleman put his
+friend into the cab."</p>
+
+<p>The man came forward, and he and Duvall picked up the limp figure of
+Seltz, who was now sleeping soundly. In a few moments they had
+transferred him to the cab outside.</p>
+
+<p>As they left the house, Duvall saw Grace standing near the door, her
+face pale, her eyes seeking his. He avoided her glances, making no sign
+that he recognized her. The doctor, somewhat annoyed, requested her,
+with elaborate but firm politeness, to withdraw. She did so, without
+looking back, but her heart was beating until it shook her whole body,
+and she longed to run to her husband and drive off with him, in spite of
+the doctor's presence. Somehow she felt that the necessity which had
+kept her a prisoner in this house no longer existed&mdash;that Richard had
+succeeded in recovering the ivory snuff box, and would soon send her
+word to join him, so that they might return to Paris together. She went
+to her room, ordered some luncheon brought to her, and sat down to await
+his message.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Duvall, with Seltz beside him, drove rapidly away from the
+house, his arm about the man's unconscious figure. At the gate of the
+park he saw another cab waiting, and in a moment perceived that it
+contained Dufrenne, who in accordance with his instructions had been
+following Seltz. Duvall nodded to him, then pointed silently down the
+street. Dufrenne at once ordered his driver to follow. In a short time
+they had reached the Hotel Metropole, and Seltz, with the assistance of
+two of the porters, had been carried upstairs and placed on the bed.
+Duvall explained to the manager of the hotel that the man was a friend
+of his, who had been taken ill, and needed to sleep for a few hours. He
+also engaged the adjoining room at once, and thither he and Dufrenne
+presently repaired to examine the snuff box which, until now, had been
+reposing safely in the detective's waistcoat pocket.</p>
+
+<p>He drew it out, when they were alone, and silently handed it to
+Dufrenne. The little old Frenchman took one look at it, then threw up
+his hands with a cry of joy. "It is the Ambassador's snuff box. Heavens
+be praised!" he cried, as the tears coursed down his withered cheeks.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+
+<p>Richard Duvall looked at the tense figure, the agitated face of his
+companion, and once again a feeling of surprise swept over him, as he
+observed the little Frenchman's joy at the recovery of Monsieur de
+Grissac's snuff box.</p>
+
+<p>Throughout the exciting events of the morning, and of the night before,
+the detective had lost sight of the apparent insignificance of the
+object of their search; now that he for the first time saw it before
+him, his curiosity was once more aroused. Surely there must be something
+of vast interest about this apparently worthless bit of ivory, to make
+its theft the reason for a brutal murder, its recovery a matter of such
+extreme importance that Monsieur Lefevre should consider the honor of
+his country at stake.</p>
+
+<p>He took the box from Dufrenne's trembling fingers and examined it
+carefully. It was about two and a half inches in circumference, and
+quite shallow, not over half an inch in depth, in all. The ivory was old
+and yellow from use and time, and very thin and smooth. The lightness of
+the box surprised him&mdash;it seemed to weigh almost nothing, as he balanced
+it on the palm of his hand.</p>
+
+<p>The circular top of the box was curiously ornamented with a circle of
+small colorless pearls, of trifling value, set at regular intervals
+about the edge of the cover. Within this row of pearls was an
+inscription in Latin, carved in tiny letters in the ivory. From its
+first words, "<i>Pater noster</i>," Duvall saw that it was the Lord's Prayer.
+The letters extended around the circumference of the box in several
+concentric lines, or rings, inside of the ring of pearls. In the center
+of the box was a cross of ivory, carved so as to be slightly raised
+above its general surface. Beyond this, the box contained no other
+ornamentation.</p>
+
+<p>Along the front edge of the box Duvall noticed a small spring. He
+pressed it, in considerable excitement. Evidently the reason for the
+box's value must be within&mdash;some papers, no doubt, of extreme
+importance. He saw the cover of the box fly upward and glanced hastily
+inside. The box contained nothing but a few pinches of snuff.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall was almost tempted to laugh. The whole thing seemed so
+ridiculous&mdash;so utterly absurd. Absent-mindedly he tried a pinch of the
+snuff, inhaling it into his nostrils. It produced nothing more startling
+than a violent fit of sneezing. Undoubtedly Monsieur de Grissac had told
+the truth. He did use snuff.</p>
+
+<p>Closing the box, Duvall regarded it for a moment in silence, then looked
+at Dufrenne. "It isn't worth a hundred francs," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"The box?" answered the curio dealer, as he followed Duvall's glances.
+"No, monsieur&mdash;what you say is indeed true, yet I would not sell it for
+a hundred million."</p>
+
+<p>"But why? What is there about it that makes it so valuable? Surely you
+can tell me that, now that we have safely recovered it."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, monsieur. I could not tell you, even if I knew, which I assure
+you I do not. I can only say that Monsieur Lefevre has told me that it
+holds within it the honor of my beloved country, and therefore I would
+not sell it for all the money in the world."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall was clearly puzzled. "Well," he said at length, as he thrust the
+box into his pocket, "there's evidently some mystery about the thing
+that I do not understand, but I suppose I shall, some day. Just at
+present our first duty is to return the box to Monsieur de Grissac."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, monsieur, and at once. There is a train for Antwerp in
+half an hour. From there we can take the night boat to Harwich. Let us
+set out without further delay."</p>
+
+<p>"And that fellow in there?" remarked the detective with a grim laugh.
+"We've got to take him with us, you know. He'll be wanted in London for
+the murder of the man No&euml;l."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. That also is important." Dufrenne went into the adjoining room and
+stood looking at the sleeping barber. "But not so important as the
+return of the snuff box to Monsieur de Grissac."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall followed him, and lifting one of Seltz's arms, let it drop
+suddenly. It fell to his side, lifeless. "He's sleeping like a log. The
+doctor must have given him a pretty stiff dose. I don't see how we are
+going to travel with him in this condition."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we must leave him in the care of Monsieur Lefevre's other agents
+here in Brussels. We cannot delay an instant, on any account."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not agree with you, monsieur. There is one thing which is as
+important to me as the recovery of the snuff box could possibly be to
+Monsieur de Grissac, and that is, the safety of my wife."</p>
+
+<p>"Your wife?" Dufrenne stared at him in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, monsieur, my wife. She is at present in Dr. Hartmann's house. How
+she came there, I do not know, but I imagine that our friend the Prefect
+sent her there, to assist, if occasion offered, in our work. In that he
+was wise; but for her presence, I fear my plan would have failed. Had
+Seltz rung the doorbell, and been admitted by any of the doctor's
+servants, I doubt if I should have been able to get the box from him
+before the latter had seen him. I should then have been obliged to use
+force, and the results might have been disastrous."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, monsieur. I see that. The young lady at Dr. Hartmann's was sent by
+Monsieur Lefevre. His agents here have already informed me of that. But
+that she is your wife I did not know." He pondered for a moment,
+glancing at his watch. "It is a great pity. Delay may be most dangerous.
+Why do you not send her word to join you in Paris?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall frowned, and began to walk about the room nervously. "A few
+hours' delay can make no difference," he presently said. "The box is
+perfectly safe in our hands. I am not, however, at all convinced that my
+wife is perfectly safe in the hands of Dr. Hartmann."</p>
+
+<p>"But he knows nothing?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I cannot say. So far he does not, I think, suspect that Seltz was
+the man he expected from London. If he had, he would never have let me
+leave his office. Luckily for us, Seltz was a stranger to him, and with
+the murder of No&euml;l on his conscience, he feared to say anything to the
+doctor about the snuff box while I was present. I imagine he suspected a
+trap of some sort. But the doctor will discover, probably before the day
+is out, how he has been tricked. Then he will begin to investigate, and
+if he finds out that it was my wife who admitted the man, he may in his
+rage decide to retaliate upon her. I cannot think of leaving Brussels,
+without her. She must go with me. Upon that I am determined."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne looked grave, and a glint of anger came into his eyes. "The
+service of France, monsieur, is more important than your private
+affairs. I beg of you that you leave here at once."</p>
+
+<p>"But why, my friend? We can leave just as well in the morning. The box
+is safe." He felt his waistcoat pocket.</p>
+
+<p>"Safe, monsieur! Let me tell you that neither the box nor you yourself
+are safe for a moment, as long as you remain in Brussels. You would be
+in no greater danger, if you were carrying about with you a package of
+dynamite."</p>
+
+<p>"You are unduly nervous, monsieur," laughed Duvall, as he observed the
+Frenchman's look of terror. "I have every confidence in my ability to
+take care of myself. I must notify my wife to join me here as soon as
+possible."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you propose to do so?" inquired Dufrenne.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Duvall was puzzled. "You could not safely call her up by
+telephone," the Frenchman continued. "For her to leave the sanatorium
+now, in response to such a call, would attract the doctor's suspicion at
+once. He is probably quite well aware of the fact that she knows no one
+in Brussels. If he should have her followed here, and see her meet you,
+he would at once conclude that there was something wrong about the whole
+affair. He is very well known here in Brussels, and very powerful.
+Undoubtedly he would have you both arrested on some pretext. Once you
+are searched, and the snuff box taken from you, all our work is lost."</p>
+
+<p>His earnest face, his frightened tones, disturbed the detective greatly.
+He saw the force of Dufrenne's arguments, yet the thought of leaving
+Grace to bear the brunt of Dr. Hartmann's anger was not to be considered
+for a moment. He looked out of the window in silence for a long time,
+trying to think out some plan that would insure Grace's safety. A gentle
+tapping at the door caused him to turn. He nodded to Dufrenne, who at
+once went to the door and opened it.</p>
+
+<p>The newcomer proved to be Lablanche, of the Prefect's office, whom
+Dufrenne had met earlier in the day. He bowed to Duvall, who knew him
+slightly, then glanced at the sleeping figure on the bed. "You have been
+successful, monsieur?" he inquired eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall nodded. "This fellow"&mdash;he indicated Seltz&mdash;"must be taken to
+London as soon as he is in condition to travel. We will leave the matter
+to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Excellent, monsieur. He shall be well taken care of. I presume that you
+and Monsieur Dufrenne will start at once."</p>
+
+<p>"I desire first, Monsieur Lablanche, to get my wife from the house of
+Dr. Hartmann."</p>
+
+<p>Lablanche gave a low whistle. "I should not advise you to attempt to
+communicate with her, monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>"You think her sudden departure would make Hartmann suspicious?"</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we must arrange for her to come to Brussels this afternoon on some
+pretext. If she only had some friends in the city&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The American Minister, monsieur!" exclaimed Lablanche, suddenly. "He
+recommended her to Dr. Hartmann. It appears that he was at one time
+acquainted with your wife's people. Perhaps he would undertake to
+telephone to her. That would be entirely safe. But I beg of you,
+monsieur, do not let the Minister know what your wife's object in going
+to Dr. Hartmann's was. He knows her only as Miss Ellicott. He vouched
+for her to Hartmann. If he knew that he had been used, it would make him
+extremely angry."</p>
+
+<p>For a few moments Duvall stood in silent thought, then picking up his
+hat, went toward the door. "I will see the American Minister at once,"
+he said, as he went out. "Wait for me here, gentlemen. I will be back
+within an hour."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Phelps, the United States Minister, was busy in his cabinet when
+Duvall was announced. He took the card from his secretary and glanced at
+it carelessly. The detective's name caused him to start. "Richard
+Duvall," he said aloud, to his secretary. "Surely it can't be the
+well-known detective, yet the name&mdash;" He regarded the card, his forehead
+wrinkled with thought. Duvall's distinguished position as the author of
+several works on the science of criminology was well known to him. "Show
+him in," he said, at length, and began to relight his cigar.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall was ushered in, and in a few moments had explained the object of
+his visit. "A young lady&mdash;a Miss Ellicott," he told the Minister, "had
+come to Brussels the night before, and had gone to Dr. Hartmann's as a
+patient." Mr. Phelps nodded, and added that he had met Miss Ellicott,
+and had used his influence to enable her to obtain Dr. Hartmann's
+services. "The doctor is a great friend of mine," the Minister remarked.
+"I regard him as one of the leading scientists of Europe."</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly," the detective assented gravely. "I am not acquainted with
+him, myself. My business is with Miss Ellicott."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why have you come here?" asked Mr. Phelps, with some asperity.
+"The doctor's house is but a few moments' drive."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that. But unfortunately I am not acquainted with Miss Ellicott.
+She might resent my calling on her so unceremoniously. I had hoped that
+you might ask her to come here, so that I might be properly introduced
+to her."</p>
+
+<p>The Minister considered the matter carefully. Evidently he did not
+altogether like it. "You forget, Mr. Duvall," he said, finally, "that I
+myself do not know you. Furthermore I certainly have no desire to
+involve Miss Ellicott in any difficulties. I trust," he concluded,
+uneasily, "that she is not already so involved."</p>
+
+<p>"No." The detective shook his head. "Not yet. But unless I can have a
+few words with her in private, she soon may be. I am working in her
+interests. I am here to protect her from a grave danger." He went toward
+the Minister, and, taking a package of papers from his pocket, placed
+them in the latter's hand. "Here are my credentials. From them you will
+see that I am what I represent myself to be. I cannot undertake to
+explain to you now the reasons which prevent me from going to Miss
+Ellicott where she is. The mere fact that I am unknown to her will, I
+trust, prove sufficient. I wish to say to her but a few words. She will
+be very glad to hear them, I know."</p>
+
+<p>The Minister returned the papers to Duvall and glanced at the clock upon
+his desk. "We are having a few friends for dinner to-night, Mr. Duvall.
+I shall ask Miss Ellicott to join us. If you care to be one of the
+party&mdash;" He paused, looking at the other questioningly.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be very glad indeed to accept, Mr. Phelps. I assure you that I
+would under no circumstances force myself upon you in this way, were it
+not for Miss Ellicott's good. And, in order that your other guests may
+not by any chance identify me, may I ask that you will introduce me as
+Mr. Brooks?"</p>
+
+<p>The Minister nodded. "Very well, if you wish it, Mr. Duvall. The whole
+affair strikes me as extremely unusual, and did I not know you to be a
+man of your word, I should have nothing to do with it. Under the
+circumstances, I will consent. At least, I feel sure that no harm can
+come to Miss Ellicott while she is under my roof."</p>
+
+<p>The detective murmured his thanks. "You will be doing Miss Ellicott a
+great service, my dear sir," he said. "And one thing more. When you
+telephone to her, asking her to come, kindly do not mention the fact
+that I have called." He took the Minister's hand and pressed it warmly.
+"Some day you will realize the dangers with which Miss Ellicott is being
+threatened."</p>
+
+<p>On his return to the Hotel Metropole, Duvall found everything as he had
+left it. Seltz was still sleeping soundly. Lablanche was reading a
+newspaper. Dufrenne was superintending the placing of Duvall's
+portmanteau, which had arrived from Paris in response to a hasty wire
+from him that morning. He had been without a change of linen since the
+day before, and the arrival of his baggage was gratifying.</p>
+
+<p>He informed Lablanche of his plans. "I shall dine at the United States
+Minister's," he informed them, "as Mr. Brooks. After dinner I shall ask
+Miss Ellicott's permission to escort her home. We will take a cab and
+drive to the railway station in time for the midnight train for Paris.
+On my arrival there, I shall give the snuff box to Monsieur Lefevre, who
+will see that it is safely returned to the Ambassador in London. You,
+Lablanche, can go to London with Seltz as soon as the latter is
+sufficiently recovered to travel&mdash;in the morning, let us say. You,
+Dufrenne, will no doubt prefer to return with me to Paris. In that
+event, kindly settle with the hotel people for these rooms, and join me
+at the railway station." He paused, opened his traveling case, and drew
+out a suit of evening clothes.</p>
+
+<p>Lablanche and Dufrenne withdrew into the adjoining room, where Seltz lay
+sleeping. The latter paused in the door as he went out. "Take care of
+the snuff box," he said, pointedly. "Remember&mdash;the honor of France."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>Grace Duvall went to her room, at Dr. Hartmann's, after her husband's
+departure, her feelings divided between her joy at his success&mdash;for she
+felt that his departure with Seltz meant success&mdash;and her sorrow at
+seeing him leave her, without so much as a single glance. She felt
+certain that she would hear from him during the course of the afternoon,
+and after eating her luncheon, sat down to read a book.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon seemed interminable. When at last she could bear the
+inaction no longer, she rose, put on her hat, and started down the
+stairs. As she reached the hall, one of the attendants came up to her.
+"Someone wishes to speak to you at the telephone, Miss Ellicott," the
+woman said.</p>
+
+<p>Grace hurried to the 'phone, which was placed in a small recess half-way
+down the hall. The woman accompanied her, and stood near by as she took
+up the receiver. Clearly she was listening. Grace determined to speak
+with caution. It was undoubtedly Richard calling.</p>
+
+<p>When she at last made out that it was the American Minister, Mr. Phelps,
+who was speaking, she felt a keen sense of disappointment. She learned
+that he and his wife wished her to come in and dine with them. At first
+she refused, fearful least by going into Brussels she might miss some
+word from Richard. Mr. Phelps was insistent. They counted on her. He
+would not take a denial. The thought occurred to her, momentarily, that
+possibly Richard had taken this means of communicating with her. The
+idea seemed far fetched, and yet&mdash;she heard Mr. Phelps' voice, urging
+her to come, and rather half-heartedly she agreed to do so. "The United
+States Minister, Mr. Phelps, and his wife, have asked me to dine with
+them to-night," she said to the attendant. "Will you be so good as to
+have a cab here for me at half-past seven?"</p>
+
+<p>The woman bowed. "Certainly, mademoiselle," she said, and moved aside as
+Dr. Hartmann came along the hall.</p>
+
+<p>Grace thought that he looked both puzzled and angry. He assumed a
+pleasant expression as he saw her, however, and when he spoke she knew
+he had overheard what she had just said. "Dining at the Minister's
+to-night?" he remarked, as he paused for a moment. "A charming man, Mr.
+Phelps. I may look in later, myself, and bring you home." He passed on,
+his face at once resuming the angry scowl which Grace had marked as he
+approached her.</p>
+
+<p>She returned to her room, and began her toilette for the evening. The
+small trunk she had brought from Paris contained but a limited
+wardrobe&mdash;she had not expected anything in the way of social
+engagements, in this work that Monsieur Lefevre had assigned to her. A
+gown of black satin, however, trimmed with silver, she had put in at the
+last moment. It was very becoming&mdash;Richard had never seen her in it&mdash;she
+hoped he might come to her, before the evening was over. She half-made
+up her mind to speak to Mr. Phelps about it&mdash;to ask him to telephone to
+the hotels and attempt to locate Richard for her. Then the thought came
+to her that she had represented herself to the Minister as Miss
+Ellicott. Clearly it would never do to let Mr. Phelps know that she had
+deceived him.</p>
+
+<p>She arrived at the house early, and after being introduced to Mrs.
+Phelps, went to the latter's room to remove her wraps, and to talk over
+their mutual acquaintances. None of the other guests had as yet arrived.
+Grace talked to Mrs. Phelps as brightly as she could, but her mind was
+intent upon Richard, and she wondered when and how she would hear from
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall, meanwhile, had been engaged in changing his clothes. When he at
+last put on the white waistcoat of his evening suit, he took up the one
+he had worn during the day and removed from it the ivory snuff box which
+had been the cause of his interrupted honeymoon. He glanced at the thing
+carelessly, before placing it in his waistcoat pocket, and as he did so,
+he fancied he detected a slight noise in the corridor without. In a
+moment he had thrown open the door which led to the hall. A
+man&mdash;evidently one of the hotel servants&mdash;was just rising from his
+knees, a small brush in one hand, a dust pan in the other.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall looked at him sharply. The man bowed, smiling in a stupid way,
+then began to withdraw, explaining that he was cleaning the hall, and
+hoping that he had not disturbed "monsieur." The detective closed the
+door, uncertain whether the man had been watching him or not. He
+remembered Dufrenne's warning, and realized that in going out, alone,
+this night, he ran some chances of having the snuff box taken from him.
+Of course, it was unlikely that Dr. Hartmann had any suspicions of
+him&mdash;yet it seemed advisable to put the box in as safe a place as
+possible, at least until he was once more across the French frontier.
+Yet where could he put it? To secrete the thing in his room was out of
+the question. The place might be searched, for all he knew, within half
+an hour of his leaving it. To conceal it successfully about his person
+seemed equally impossible. Where, indeed, could he hope to hide an
+object of this size, so as to defy a search, in case one should be made?
+His eyes suddenly fell upon the opera hat which he had taken from his
+portmanteau. He took it up and gazed at it with a smile, then quickly
+whipped out his knife and began, with great care, to detach the inner
+lining of the crown for a distance of perhaps three or four inches.
+Carefully drawing back the lining, he slipped the thin ivory box beneath
+it, and pushed it back into place. The lining was of heavy black silk,
+stiffened by the label of the maker which was glued to it. The space
+between it and the crown was considerable. When Duvall had once more
+fastened the silk in place with the aid of a needle and thread which he
+drew from his dressing case, it would have required a very careful
+inspection, indeed, to have discovered that there was anything unusual
+about the hat. Even the added weight of the box was not perceptible&mdash;its
+lightness prevented that. When he had completed his task, the detective
+suddenly threw open the door and glanced into the hall. It was vacant.
+Evidently he had not been observed.</p>
+
+<p>There were but four guests at the Minister's that night, of whom Duvall
+and Grace were two. The other two were a Mr. and Mrs. Haddon, friends of
+Mrs. Phelps, who were making a short stay in the Belgian capital on
+their way to their home in London.</p>
+
+<p>The little party, with the exception of Duvall, had already assembled in
+the drawing-room, awaiting his arrival. Grace found the Haddons charming
+and cultivated people who had traveled all over the world, owing to Mr.
+Haddon's connection with the English Consular service. Mr. Phelps had
+told Grace that they were expecting an American, a friend of his, whose
+name was Brooks, but she did not exhibit much interest in the matter.
+She was becoming more and more worried about Richard, and wondered if he
+could, by any possibility, have left Brussels without communicating with
+her. The thought seemed unbelievable.</p>
+
+<p>Dinner was set for eight. As the hour was striking, the butler announced
+Mr. Brooks. Grace glanced up carelessly as the latter entered, then her
+face went white, and she started forward with a glad cry. Mr. Phelps,
+who was mumbling an introduction, did not, luckily, observe her
+agitation. Duvall looked at her coolly. "Good-evening, Miss Ellicott,"
+he said, bowing. "I am delighted to meet you."</p>
+
+<p>The shock of the thing almost unnerved her. "Mr. Brooks," she managed to
+gasp, her face crimson. In a moment she became calmer, as she observed
+her husband's warning look, and began to chat with him nervously, as
+though he were the chance acquaintance he pretended to be. In a moment
+they all were seated about the dinner-table. He had been able to say to
+her as they left the drawing-room, however, unheard by the others, "I
+will ask permission to escort you home." She nodded, with a twinkle in
+her eyes. All her nervousness and anxiety had left her now, and in their
+place came a delicious feeling of happiness at Richard's presence, and a
+keen sense of adventure that made the blood tingle through her whole
+body. "Mr. Brooks!" She laughed inwardly at the thought that no one at
+the table but themselves knew that they were husband and wife. She
+proceeded to enter into the spirit of the occasion with huge delight,
+questioning Mr. Brooks about his business in Brussels with a keen sense
+of mischief.</p>
+
+<p>It was along toward the middle of dinner that one of the servants came
+in and handed Mr. Phelps a card. Duvall, engaged for the moment in
+conversation with Mrs. Haddon, did not perceive it, but Grace, who sat
+next to their host, experienced a sudden feeling of alarm. She observed
+the Minister's puzzled face, as he excused himself and left the table,
+and for an instant she thought of warning Richard. A moment's thought,
+however, convinced her of the uselessness of the attempt, nor did she
+indeed know what she could say to him. She remembered Dr. Hartmann's
+remark, that he might look in at the Minister's after dinner, to which
+she had attached no importance at the time. Now the thought came to her
+that the doctor was in the reception-room without, and that his coming,
+at this time, in the middle of dinner, meant that some disaster was
+impending.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments Mr. Phelps re&euml;ntered the room, followed by Dr.
+Hartmann. The latter was in evening clothes, and his face seemed
+peculiarly forbidding and grim.</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Hartmann has consented to join us," he said to his wife.
+"Philippe"&mdash;he turned to the butler&mdash;"lay another place." Then he
+proceeded to introduce Hartmann to Mr. and Mrs. Haddon and to Duvall.</p>
+
+<p>The latter looked at the doctor calmly. "I think we have met before,
+Doctor," he said, in an even voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite so." Hartmann's face showed not a trace of emotion of any sort.
+"I hope your servant is better."</p>
+
+<p>"He's still asleep," laughed the detective, then explained to the
+others, in a few words, his adventure of the morning. He saw that the
+Minister was puzzled, but the latter said nothing, at the time, and in a
+few moments the matter was forgotten. Only Grace showed any signs of
+alarm&mdash;Duvall went calmly on with his dinner as though nothing had
+happened. He spoke to her only occasionally and then addressed her with
+the formal politeness of a total stranger.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Hartmann was observing him intently under cover of a spirited
+conversation with Mrs. Phelps. It was clear to Grace that he could not
+quite understand why Duvall, or Brooks, as he supposed him to be, was
+dining here at the Minister's.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite late when the party rose from the table, and, a little
+while later, Grace, anxious to get away from the place, and be alone
+with Richard, announced that she must return home. "Mr. Brooks has
+kindly offered to escort me," she said, quickly, fearful that Dr.
+Hartmann might suggest that she return with him.</p>
+
+<p>The latter smiled coldly, his eyes fixed on her with a gleam of
+suspicion. "I think I shall be going myself," he said, as he took leave
+of the remainder of the party.</p>
+
+<p>As they reached the sidewalk, Duvall observed the taxicab he had ordered
+to be in readiness, standing in front of the door. He helped Grace
+inside, then turned in some hesitation to the chauffeur. He dared not
+tell the fellow to drive to the railway station, since Hartmann, who
+stood beside the cab chatting with Grace, would inevitably hear him. He
+therefore instructed the man to go to Dr. Hartmann's with the intention
+of countermanding the order a little later, as soon as they had got out
+of earshot of the house. He threw open the door, entered the cab, and
+was about to pull the door shut after him when he felt his wrist seized
+from behind in a powerful grasp, and before he realized what had
+happened, Dr. Hartmann had stepped into the cab and closed the door. The
+chauffeur at once started off at a great rate.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure, Mr. Brooks," said the doctor, suavely, as he sat down in the
+forward seat, his right hand still grasping Duvall's wrist, "that you
+will not mind taking me home with you. It is a long walk, and I fear
+there are no other taxicabs in sight."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall looked at him sternly, then attempted to draw away his hand.
+"What do you mean, monsieur," he asked, harshly, "by detaining me in
+this manner?" He again tried to free his wrist, but the doctor was too
+strong for him.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann smiled pleasantly. "I feared, Mr. Brooks," he said, "that you
+might be tempted to use the revolver which you have in the pocket of
+your coat." He reached over quickly with his other hand and drew the
+revolver from the detective's pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Grace, through all this, had said absolutely nothing. She realized how
+fatal any interruption by herself might be. She did not know of her
+husband's intention to leave Brussels that night. She had heard him
+order the chauffeur to drive to the sanatorium. Perhaps he wished her to
+return there. In that event, it was imperative that Dr. Hartmann should
+not know that the supposed Mr. Brooks and herself were anything but the
+most chance acquaintances.</p>
+
+<p>"Doctor," she cried out, "what are you doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"It seems that Dr. Hartmann has suddenly lost his senses, Miss
+Ellicott," exclaimed Duvall angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite so, my friend," said the doctor, sarcastically. "Just as our poor
+friend Seltz lost his. Don't try anything like that," he snarled,
+suddenly, as Duvall attempted to release his arm with a sudden twist. "I
+have a few questions I desire to ask you, Mr. Brooks."</p>
+
+<p>"Questions? What are they?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot possibly ask them here, in the presence of Miss Ellicott.
+Perhaps you will oblige me by stepping into my office for a few moments
+when we arrive at our destination."</p>
+
+<p>"I can spare you five minutes," said Duvall, sullenly. He could not help
+remembering Dufrenne's advice, and regretted bitterly that he had not
+followed it. He had been prepared for almost any contingency. As he left
+the Minister's house, his hand clutched a revolver in the pocket of his
+coat. There seemed no way in which Hartmann could prevent him from
+taking Grace to the railway station. He felt so sure of this that he
+became overconfident. One moment only had he been off guard&mdash;the moment
+when, with his back to Hartmann, he had stepped into the cab. And the
+latter, seizing upon that instant's slip, had turned the tables upon him
+so completely that he cursed himself in his chagrin. Here he was, headed
+for Dr. Hartmann's house, on the outskirts of the town. Once there, the
+latter's attendants could easily overpower him and carry him into the
+place helpless. There seemed no possible means of escape. He determined
+to brazen the matter out, and meet Hartmann on his own ground.
+Resistance would at this juncture be useless. He congratulated himself
+that Grace had, by her cleverness, not shown her hand. The doctor
+evidently did not suspect, at least not very strongly, that she was
+anything other than she seemed&mdash;a patient. He knew he would be searched,
+and hoped that the place of concealment of the snuff box would defy even
+Hartmann. After that, he would demand his release, and rely upon Mr.
+Phelps to get it for him.</p>
+
+<p>He lifted his head and saw that they were at the house. Without
+loosening his hold upon Duvall's arm, the doctor called to the
+chauffeur, "Ring the bell." The latter did so. In a moment, a servant
+appeared. "Send Max and Rudolph here," cried Hartmann, and presently two
+husky young Germans came out of the house. Hartmann spoke a few quick
+words to them in their own language and they ranged themselves on either
+side of the cab door. Then the doctor threw it open, and released the
+detective's wrist. "Get out, if you please, Mr. Brooks," he said, with a
+sardonic smile.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+
+<p>When Grace arrived at Dr. Hartmann's that night, she was so utterly
+astonished by the course which events had taken that she was scarcely
+able to think. What to do she could not even guess. Here was her
+husband, the man she loved, in the power of Dr. Hartmann, and there
+seemed nothing whatever that she could do to help him. Yet how could she
+go quietly to her room, when Richard might be in the gravest danger? On
+the other hand, to attempt any resistance, to let the doctor know, by
+any action on her part, that she and Duvall were working in conjunction,
+would result in nothing but further disaster. The thought flashed
+through her mind that by preserving her character of a patient, she
+might, in the morning, communicate with Mr. Phelps, and secure his
+assistance in obtaining Richard's freedom.</p>
+
+<p>These considerations came and went in the few seconds required for the
+little party to enter the hall. Her husband went first. Dr. Hartmann
+stood aside to permit her to follow him. Duvall turned as she passed
+through the door, and she heard him whisper, in a voice scarcely
+audible, "Say nothing." It was the cue she desired. She extended her
+hand as the doctor came in. "Good-night, Mr. Brooks," she said, quite
+calmly. "Thank you for bringing me home. I hope we shall meet again,
+sometime."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so," Duvall remarked, indifferently, then turned to the doctor.
+"Now, monsieur, let us have done with this farce as quickly as possible.
+I have no time to waste."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor have I. Good-night, Miss Ellicott." He nodded pleasantly to Grace
+as she ascended the stairs, then addressed one of the two attendants.
+"Where is Herr Mayer?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"He is waiting for you in the laboratory, Herr Doctor," the man replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Good! This way, if you please." He motioned down the hall. "Be so good,
+Mr. Brooks, as to proceed at once."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall started off down the hall in no pleasant frame of mind. The whole
+affair had been bungled by his stupidity. He passed through the door
+which Hartmann presently opened at the end of the hall, and found
+himself in a long narrow passage, lit by a single electric lamp.
+Hartmann closed the door carefully behind him, and came on down the
+corridor, his footsteps echoing loudly on the concrete floor.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the corridor a second door confronted them. It was opened
+by a tall blond man, with a reddish mustache and brilliant blue eyes. "I
+heard you coming," he said, nodding to Hartmann, then looked keenly at
+Duvall. "So this is the fellow, eh? Where shall we take him?"</p>
+
+<p>The doctor pointed to an iron door which faced that by which they had
+entered. Between the two doors ran a narrow corridor, with an iron
+staircase to the left, leading upward. "In here," he said, shortly, and
+going to the door, opened it with a key which he drew from his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Again Duvall cursed his stupidity. For a moment, thoughts of resistance
+crossed his mind but he at once realized the hopelessness of it, and
+followed the doctor into the room. The tall man brought up the rear,
+closing the door silently after him.</p>
+
+<p>The room was pitch dark. In a moment, however, Hartmann had pressed an
+electric button, and a brilliant light flooded the place. Duvall looked
+about him curiously, and in that fleeting glance saw that the room was
+without windows of any kind, and that the walls, smooth and white,
+contained no openings whatever, except the door by which they had
+entered. The floor, as he could tell by its feel under his feet, was of
+cement. The room was bare of furniture, but he perceived a number of
+boxes and packing cases standing about the walls.</p>
+
+<p>The instant the door was closed, Hartmann sprang at the detective and
+grasped his two wrists. The latter had always been considered a powerful
+man, but the arms and shoulders of the doctor were those of a Hercules.
+"Search him, Mayer," he said, as he pinned Duvall's wrists together in
+his iron grip.</p>
+
+<p>The man addressed as Mayer at once began a systematic search of Duvall's
+person. With deft fingers he explored his pockets, felt the linings of
+his clothing, tore through the contents of his pocketbook. The opera hat
+had fallen to the floor, in the short struggle which ensued when the
+detective found himself in Hartmann's grasp. Mayer picked it up, glanced
+at it carelessly, then threw it angrily into a corner, where it rolled
+unobserved, into the shadow of a large box.</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing here," he said, in a voice of keen disappointment. "He
+must have hidden it elsewhere."</p>
+
+<p>"In his room at the hotel, perhaps&mdash;his portmanteau," the doctor said,
+eagerly, releasing Duvall's hands and throwing him to one side with some
+violence.</p>
+
+<p>Mayer looked grave. "I have searched everything thoroughly. It is not
+there."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor muttered an oath. "The other&mdash;the old Frenchman?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was arrested to-night on a charge of irregularity in his passport.
+Nothing discovered. He will be released in the morning."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Teufel!</i>" The doctor swore excitedly in German. "Then the other
+one&mdash;the one who was in charge of Seltz&mdash;he must have it."</p>
+
+<p>"No. He also has been searched, with the same results."</p>
+
+<p>"May I ask what you are looking for?" asked Duvall, calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"You know, well enough, Duvall," exclaimed Mayer, turning on him. "Oh,
+yes&mdash;I know your name. The examination of your baggage showed that. As
+soon as I wired to London and discovered that the man Seltz had left
+there last night, I knew how we had been fooled. One of our men saw the
+snuff box in your possession just before you left the hotel to go to the
+house of Mr. Phelps. What have you done with it?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall regarded his questioner calmly. "I do not know what you are
+talking about, gentlemen. I have no snuff box, nor do I use tobacco in
+that form. And now, if you have concluded this outrage upon an American
+citizen, perhaps you will let me return quietly to my hotel. If you do
+not, I promise you you shall pay heavily for it."</p>
+
+<p>His words, for the moment, seemed to disconcert the two men. Then Mayer
+laughed, "Nothing but bluff, young man&mdash;American bluff. I know who you
+are. You followed Seltz here from London, and got the snuff box from him
+by a trick. Now tell us where it is."</p>
+
+<p>The detective smiled. "I do not know what you are talking about," he
+said, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Hartmann growled out an oath. "Take off his things, Mayer. He may
+have the box in his clothing somewhere&mdash;or the heel of his boot. I'll
+get a dressing-gown, from above." He left the room, and Duvall heard him
+clanking up the iron staircase.</p>
+
+<p>"If you insist on removing my clothes," he said to Mayer, "I prefer to
+do so myself." He rapidly stripped off his evening suit and shoes, and
+threw them upon the floor.</p>
+
+<p>The man gathered them up, feeling each article carefully, and testing
+the heels of the boots with a knife which he drew from his pocket. He
+appeared greatly disappointed at not finding the object of his search.
+Then he again examined Duvall, feeling his person from head to toe with
+great care. He had just finished when the doctor returned with a long
+gray woolen dressing gown, which he tossed to the detective.</p>
+
+<p>"He's hidden it somewhere. He hasn't got it with him," Mayer exclaimed,
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Take him to the small bedroom in the west wing," said the doctor.
+"We'll get it out of him, before we're through. You can leave the
+clothes in the laboratory." He cast his eye about the room to see that
+nothing had been forgotten. Duvall trembled, thinking of the hat lying
+unseen behind the packing case in the corner. Hartmann, however, did not
+observe it. Without saying anything further he threw open the door, and
+they all passed into the little hall.</p>
+
+<p>From there, Duvall was led up the iron staircase to the floor above, and
+found himself in a large room which he took to be the doctor's
+laboratory. It was dimly lit by means of a reading-lamp. He had a
+confused vision of a number of scientific appliances, bulking huge and
+forbidding in the shadows, and then was conducted through a glass door
+and along a corridor similar to the one through which he and the doctor
+had so recently passed on the floor below. He judged, from the direction
+they were taking, that it was directly above the lower passageway, and
+led back to the main part of the house.</p>
+
+<p>In this he soon found that he was correct. A door at the end of the
+corridor gave entrance to the upper central hall of the main building.
+He was led off to the right, catching a momentary glimpse of a woman
+attendant sitting in a chair near the head of the stairs as he passed.
+In a few moments Hartmann paused before a door, threw it open, and
+turned on the lights. The detective saw before him a well-furnished
+bedroom, with two large windows, and another door, which he later found
+gave entrance to a bathroom. The dark shadows against the night light
+without showed him at once that the windows were barred.</p>
+
+<p>He turned to the two men. "You do not intend to release me then?" he
+asked, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann laughed. "You will be quite comfortable here, my friend. I am
+sure that a few days of complete rest will benefit your condition
+greatly. I imagine your trouble is merely a temporary affliction&mdash;a loss
+of memory, let us say, an inability to recall your name. We'll soon have
+you all right again. You have only to inform me where you have placed
+the snuff box which you stole from my messenger this morning, and I
+shall know that a complete cure has been effected. If your friends are
+alarmed about you, it will be quite sufficient to tell them that you are
+in my care. Mr. Phelps, for instance, has complete confidence in my
+ability. I will make it a point to explain matters to him at once. Just
+a trifling ailment, a disordered condition of the brain cells. A week
+should set you right again. If there is anything you wish, the
+attendants will get it for you. Your clothes will be sent up from the
+hotel in the morning. Make yourself quite at home, I beg of you."</p>
+
+<p>He turned away, with a sardonic smile, and Duvall heard the key turn in
+the door as it closed. He glanced at the barred windows, the door,
+half-open, leading to the bathroom, and realized that there was not the
+slightest hope of escape. Dr. Hartmann evidently intended to keep him a
+prisoner until he disclosed the whereabouts of the snuff box. He smiled
+grimly as he threw himself upon the bed. It seemed likely that his stay
+would be a long one.</p>
+
+<p>After a time he began to think of Grace. How cleverly she had carried
+out her part! It was clear that the doctor did not suspect her, or, if
+he did, was unable to see where his suspicions led. How strange it
+seemed to realize that she, his wife, lay somewhere under the same roof
+with him&mdash;possibly even in the very next room! But thirty-six hours had
+passed since their wedding and their sudden and unexpected parting.
+During that time, he had seen Grace but twice, once, at Hartmann's
+office, in the morning; the second time, at the Minister's that night.
+How he had longed to touch her hand, to put his arms about her, to feel
+his lips on hers. Yet as matters stood, the chances of their seeing each
+other in the near future seemed particularly remote. He wondered if
+Hartmann would keep him a prisoner in his room. The morning, of course,
+would tell. He switched off the lights, got into bed, and after a long
+time fell into a broken sleep.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was late in the afternoon, when Dr. Hartmann, through his man Mayer,
+discovered that Seltz had left London, and should have appeared at his
+office with the snuff box during the forenoon. A description of Seltz,
+together with a curious feeling of uneasiness which he felt after the
+departure of the man who had introduced himself as Mr. Brooks, caused
+him to conclude that he had been made the victim of a clever trick, and
+one which only his professional enthusiasm had made possible.</p>
+
+<p>He at once set to work, through Mayer and his men, to locate Brooks.
+This was done, without difficulty, at the Hotel Metropole. While the
+doctor followed the latter to the Minister's, firm in his belief that he
+carried the snuff box with him, Mayer had arranged through certain
+connections with the Belgian police, to have Dufrenne arrested and
+placed in confinement over night on a trumped-up charge; Seltz
+liberated, and Lablanche held on a pretense of being concerned in the
+theft from the latter of a valuable package. A thorough search of
+Duvall's baggage&mdash;Dufrenne, it seemed, had none&mdash;disclosed nothing,
+except certain documents setting forth that the latter was Richard
+Duvall, an American citizen. It was these papers, in fact, which Duvall
+had shown to Mr. Phelps earlier in the day.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing to indicate to Hartmann that Duvall was acting in the
+interests of the French secret police, but the doctor suspected it,
+knowing as he did that the recovery of Monsieur de Grissac's snuff box
+would become at once a matter of the utmost moment to Lefevre and his
+men. Curiously enough, his momentary suspicions of Grace had largely
+disappeared. There was nothing to connect her with Duvall. He did not
+know that it was she who had opened the door and admitted Seltz to his
+house earlier in the day&mdash;he thought that Duvall had done this himself.
+Grace's manner, her conduct during the ride in the cab from the
+Minister's house, had shown him nothing. Still, he felt that she would
+bear watching and made his plans accordingly.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was shining through the windows of Duvall's room when he awoke
+the next morning. For a brief space he was unable to recognize his
+surroundings, then the sequence of events came to him with a rush. He
+was conscious of a knocking at the door. He sprang up and opened it.
+Outside stood one of the men attendants whom he had seen the night
+before, with the portmanteau containing his clothes. The man placed the
+bag upon a chair, and opened it, then withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall proceeded at once to dress. He had just finished when the
+attendant returned with an elaborate breakfast on a tray. He ate
+heartily. Evidently the doctor had no intention of starving him. Upon
+the table he observed his watch and seals, which he had worn with his
+evening clothes the night before. He looked at the watch and saw, to his
+astonishment, that it was after nine o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>Now that he was dressed, he wondered what he should do with himself. It
+did not occur to him that the doctor would do other than keep him
+confined to his room, yet the man who had brought the breakfast things
+had not apparently locked the door when he went out.</p>
+
+<p>Without any clear idea of what he intended to do, Duvall went to the
+door and tried it. To his surprise, he found it unlocked, and in a
+moment he had passed out into the hall.</p>
+
+<p>The house seemed deserted. Even the attendant who had sat at the head of
+the stairs the night before was no longer in evidence. He went down to
+the lower floor without seeing any one. As he passed the door of the
+doctor's office, on his way to the entrance, he heard it open, and Dr.
+Hartmann looked out at him with a grim smile. "Ah&mdash;going for a stroll, I
+see, Mr. Duvall," he said, pleasantly enough. "It's a fine morning. I
+hope you enjoy it."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall made no reply. He appreciated fully that Hartmann was only making
+fun of him, and realized his helplessness.</p>
+
+<p>Once outside the door, he paused for a moment to drink in the beauty of
+the morning. Straight ahead of him stretched the driveway which led to
+the main road. The ornamental iron gate stood invitingly open. He went
+toward it, unconsciously pondering upon his situation and what he could
+do, if anything, to escape from it. At the gate he paused, looking about
+carefully to see whether his movements were observed. There appeared to
+be no one near him, although along one of the paths to the right of the
+house, he saw several persons walking, whom he judged to be inmates of
+the place. One or two others sat on benches among the shrubbery,
+reading. None of them seemed to take the least interest in his
+movements.</p>
+
+<p>An empty cab passed slowly, the driver on the lookout for a fare. For a
+moment the detective thought of escape, his hand came up with a jerk to
+signal the cabman, then suddenly he let it fall with an exclamation of
+dismay. He could not escape&mdash;he did not dare attempt it, knowing that
+the snuff box, which had already caused him so much anxiety and trouble,
+lay in a corner of the room beneath the doctor's laboratory. First he
+must get that, before he could attempt to escape. He turned slowly back
+toward the house.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly another doubt assailed him. Had not Dr. Hartmann allowed
+him this liberty merely to see whether or not he would take advantage of
+it? Would the latter conclude, now that he had failed to do so, that the
+snuff box was hidden somewhere on the premises? The thought disturbed
+him greatly.</p>
+
+<p>Still another consideration occurred to him. If he made any attempt to
+recover the box, would his doing so not show his captors at once that
+they had overlooked the hat&mdash;a chance, indeed, in a thousand? The first
+move he might make toward the room under the laboratory, would arouse
+Hartmann's suspicions, a search would be made and the hat and its
+precious contents discovered.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly he was tied hand and foot. He dared not leave the place,
+without taking the snuff box with him; he dared not attempt to recover
+it for fear its hiding place would thereby be disclosed. He was, he
+suddenly realized, as much a prisoner as though he were locked in a
+cell. And Grace?</p>
+
+<p>The thought of her caused him to glance about nervously, and in a moment
+he saw her coming toward him from the direction of the house. She
+appeared to be looking for him, yet when she saw him, she seemed in
+doubt as to what to do. Duvall went up to her. "Good-morning, Miss
+Ellicott," he said, in a voice clearly audible within the house, were
+any of the windows open. He fancied he detected Hartmann's dark face
+peering at him from the waiting-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, Mr. Brooks," she said, affecting great surprise at seeing
+him. "You are here still?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes." His tone was careless, but as he spoke he moved in a
+direction away from the house, and toward a small bench that stood
+beside the driveway. "Dr. Hartmann concluded that I needed
+treatment&mdash;I'm afflicted with loss of memory, it seems. Beautiful day,
+isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>She murmured some response, waiting for him to speak again. Presently he
+judged the distance from the house sufficiently great. No one was near
+enough to possibly overhear them.</p>
+
+<p>"The snuff box is hidden&mdash;sewn inside of the false crown of my opera
+hat," he said, in a low voice. "It is in the room under the doctor's
+laboratory. He does not know it is there, and I don't dare try to get
+it, for fear he will find out. If you have a chance&mdash;" He paused.</p>
+
+<p>"I understand."</p>
+
+<p>"But be careful&mdash;very careful."</p>
+
+<p>"I will." They sat down upon the bench toward which they had been
+headed. "I had thought of seeing Mr. Phelps to-day, and asking him to
+have you released."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be useless," he said. "I cannot go without the snuff box."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I send word to our friends in Brussels?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"How can you do that?"</p>
+
+<p>She explained the method, by means of the boy who drove the delivery
+wagon. He considered the matter carefully. "Let them know that I am
+here, and why I cannot escape. Tell them that the snuff box is safe&mdash;so
+far. Do not let them know where it is&mdash;I trust no one with that&mdash;except
+you, dear."</p>
+
+<p>The tenderness of his voice thrilled her. She longed to grasp his
+hand&mdash;to tell him of the love which filled her heart. Suddenly he spoke,
+quickly, warningly. "Be careful," he said. "We are being watched. That
+man Mayer is observing us with an opera glass, from a window of the
+house. Don't look at me that way. I shall leave you now. Let us meet
+during the afternoon." He rose, bowed to her carelessly, and strolled
+back toward the house, leaving her disconsolate upon the bench.</p>
+
+<p>He entered the hall aimlessly, not knowing what to do next. The
+situation was one which taxed his resources to the utmost. No case that
+he had encountered in his whole experience offered the slightest
+suggestion whereby he might hope to effect a solution of his present
+difficulties. Courage, resource, ingenuity seemed alike useless. He was
+helpless.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Hartmann appeared in the hall as he entered it. "Come in, Mr.
+Duvall," he said, holding open the door of the office. "Suppose we have
+a little chat."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the detective hesitated, then decided to meet the doctor's
+good nature in kind. "By all means," he replied. "You owe me some
+explanation of your conduct in keeping me here."</p>
+
+<p>"Keeping you here, Mr. Duvall? Surely you are mistaken. The gate is
+open." He waved his hand toward the lawn.</p>
+
+<p>"I have no desire to run away, like a criminal, Dr. Hartmann. When I go,
+I shall go in a dignified way, and take my belongings with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Your belongings!" The doctor seemed impressed with the remark. "So you
+have the snuff box hidden somewhere among them, have you?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall began a hasty denial, but the doctor cut him short. "Absurd, Mr.
+Duvall," he exclaimed. "You would leave here quickly enough, if you
+could take the box with you. But where you have concealed it, I confess
+I cannot imagine. I have examined your things with the utmost care. It
+is not among them, of that I am certain. I gave you your liberty this
+morning, to see whether or not you would attempt to escape. Had you done
+so I should have known that the box was concealed somewhere in the city,
+or else in the hands of your confederates. Now I am convinced that it is
+here. I thought at one time that you might have given it to Miss
+Ellicott&mdash;I have an idea that there is something between you, although
+of that I am by no means certain. But I know that she hasn't it, for her
+belongings were searched with equal care, last night, while she slept.
+The thing is a mystery to me, Mr. Duvall, and I compliment you upon your
+ingenuity. Had you been as wise, yesterday, as you were clever, you
+would have left Brussels before I discovered the trick you had played on
+me. Why you did not do so&mdash;why you foolishly remained to dine at the
+house of Mr. Phelps, I confess I cannot see. It is beyond me. But all
+that is beside the case. You have the snuff box&mdash;at least you know where
+it is. Are you going to turn it over to me, or must I force you to do
+so?"</p>
+
+<p>Duvall listened to the doctor with an impassive face. "I know nothing
+about any snuff box," he returned, with a show of anger. "You are
+wasting your time, Dr. Hartmann. I have nothing more to say on the
+subject." He turned his back and gazed moodily out across the lawn.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann regarded him with a scowl of anger. "I give you until to-night,
+Mr. Duvall, to do as I ask. After that, I shall be compelled to force
+you to do so."</p>
+
+<p>The detective shrugged his shoulders and turned to the door. "You use
+strong words, my friend. If any harm comes to me, my government will
+know how to deal with you." His threat did not seem to alarm the doctor
+particularly. "Do not forget, Mr. Duvall," he said, with an evil smile,
+"that while I know how to cure mental disorders, I also know how to
+create them. Good-morning."</p>
+
+<p>The grave threat in his words filled Duvall with uneasiness. What did
+Hartmann mean? Did he propose to feed him with drugs, cunningly
+concealed in his food, which would steal away his senses, and leave him
+a babbling child? The thought was terrifying. Yet he had until to-night.
+He decided to return to his room and think, hoping thus to evolve some
+plan which might prove a solution of his difficulties. In the afternoon
+he would communicate it to Grace, and she, in return, could send word to
+Dufrenne, so that the latter might co&ouml;perate with him.</p>
+
+<p>He found everything in his room as he had left it, and, seating himself
+by the window, was soon plunged in deep thought. The arrival of one of
+the attendants with his luncheon some two hours later woke him from a
+maze of profitless scheming. The problem was as yet still unsolved.</p>
+
+<p>After luncheon, he decided to go down and have a talk with Grace. By
+keeping away from the house, and walking through the shrubbery, he hoped
+to be able to talk with her more freely. Much to his surprise, he found
+the door of his room once more locked. He sat down with a feeling of
+utter helplessness. The net was beginning to close about him.</p>
+
+<p>Dinner was brought in at seven, and with it a small bottle of claret. He
+made an excellent meal, in spite of his unhappy reflections. The claret
+proved a welcome addition to it. On the tray was also a cigar. Decidedly
+the doctor was thoughtful, he reflected grimly.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after dinner he began to feel strangely drowsy. For a time he
+resisted the feeling&mdash;fought against it, but his eyelids seemed weighted
+with lead. Try as he would, he could not keep his eyes open. He threw up
+the window, gasping at the fresh air, but it had little effect. He
+rushed to the door, tried it, found it locked as he had expected, then
+groped toward the bed and fell heavily upon it, drunk with sleep. "It
+must have been the wine," he muttered to himself, and in another moment
+his muscles relaxed and he lay unconscious.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+
+<p>When Richard Duvall once more opened his eyes, he saw nothing but a
+blinding glare of light, that hurt and bewildered him with its singular
+and brilliant intensity. He closed his eyes again at once, unable to
+bear the irritation which was thus caused him. It was not exactly pain
+that he felt, but an intense discomfort, such as one experiences when
+looking directly at the brilliant rays of the sun.</p>
+
+<p>After a few moments spent in futile attempts to cover his eyes with his
+hands, only to discover that his arms were tightly bound, he thought to
+secure relief by turning his face to one side, so that his vision might
+seek the soft darkness which seemed to lie on every side of him. In this
+effort he was equally unsuccessful. His head, his neck, his whole body,
+were rigid, immovable. He could not stir an inch in any direction.</p>
+
+<p>He spent a long time in useless speculation upon the meaning of the
+remarkable situation in which he now found himself. He felt no pain, no
+discomfort, except that which the brilliance of the light above him
+caused. He determined at length once more to open his eyes, in order to
+discover if possible its source.</p>
+
+<p>Even when his eyes were closed, he could see that the strange light
+burnt upon them. In a way it rendered his eyelids translucent&mdash;he was
+conscious of a dull pulsing redness through which shot a network of
+lines of fire. He opened his eyes slowly, cautiously, and looked upward.
+From some point above him, in what he judged must be the ceiling of the
+room, extended a beam of violet white light, cutting sharply through the
+darkness like the rays of a searchlight. At the opening in the ceiling
+through which it came, this beam was in diameter not more than two
+inches, but as it extended downward, it widened, taking the form of a
+long, thin, truncated cone, so that its width, where it impinged upon
+his face, was perhaps equal to twice that of a man's hand.</p>
+
+<p>The darkness of the room about him made the beam of light seem a
+tangible, material thing. Its brilliance was unwavering&mdash;it extended
+from the ceiling to the surface of his face with the solidity, almost,
+of some huge, glittering icicle. He felt as though, were his hands but
+free, he could brush it aside, fling it off bodily into the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>The effort of looking directly at the source of the light made his eyes
+smart with pain, but he found that by half-closing them, he could look
+off into the darkness, through the brilliant cone. In the pathway of its
+rays danced and tumbled innumerable dust specks&mdash;he knew then but for
+their presence, to afford the light a reflecting surface, its rays would
+be invisible to him.</p>
+
+<p>In color the light was not yellow, like sunlight, but had a cold
+violet-blue quality, more nearly resembling moonlight. Its intensity, as
+well as the shape of the light cone, made him conclude that it was being
+focused through a powerful lens, or projected by means of a brilliant
+reflector.</p>
+
+<p>He could imagine no possible reason for the situation in which he found
+himself. What the purpose of the beam of light was; why it thus focused
+upon his upturned face, he could not guess. He thought about it for many
+minutes, his eyes closed, his head straining restlessly toward the soft
+outer darkness. Presently there flashed into his mind Dr. Hartmann's
+words at their last meeting: "While I know how to cure mental disorders,
+I also know how to create them." The thought made him shudder. Was this,
+then, the explanation of his predicament? Somewhere he had read, not
+long before, a newspaper account of the investigations of certain
+Italian scientists, concerning the effect of the violet and ultra-violet
+light rays upon the cells of the brain. He could not recollect just what
+the conclusions had been, but he did remember that the newspaper article
+spoke of the popular superstition that moonlight could cause insanity.
+He knew Hartmann to be a scientist of vast ability and resource, and
+realized that back of the elaborate preparations he had evidently made
+must lie some sinister purpose.</p>
+
+<p>For what seemed an eternity he lay thinking, unable to come to any
+rational conclusion. The distressing effect of the light rays increased,
+rather than diminished, as his nerves became more and more unstrung. It
+seemed, even with, his eyes closed, that he could feel the <i>weight</i> of
+the cone of light upon his face. The desire to escape from its searching
+glare became well-nigh irresistible. How long would this torture
+continue? He began to feel intensely tired and worn out and realized
+that could he but shut out the blinding brilliancy which enveloped him,
+he would sink exhausted to sleep. Sleep! He could no more sleep, under
+the present conditions, than he could fly to the moon. Then there came
+to his mind a recollection of a form of torture practised among the
+Chinese, the prevention of sleep. Prisoners, he had read, were confined
+in a cage, in brilliant sunlight, and prevented from sleeping by being
+prodded from without with spears. At the expiration of a week, he had
+read, the victim goes raving mad. Was this, then, Hartmann's intention?</p>
+
+<p>Whatever the man did, he knew he would adopt only such methods as would
+involve him in no damaging consequences. He might be kept in his present
+situation until insanity ensued, and Hartmann with his reputation as a
+physician, a scientist, could calmly deny any story he might tell,
+putting it down to the wanderings of a disordered brain. He realized the
+cunning of the man, his care to use no physical violence. Should he,
+Duvall, under the strain of the torture which he realized lay before
+him, consent to disclose the whereabouts of the ivory snuff box, in
+return for his liberty, what could he do, in retaliation? Hartmann would
+calmly deny his story, and would doubtless produce witnesses, such as
+Mayer, to prove that the detective came to him for treatment for some
+slight mental disorder, some lapse of memory and that the exposure to
+the light rays had been but part of his usual treatment. Clearly the
+doctor had covered his tracks most successfully.</p>
+
+<p>Throughout all these torturing thoughts, the figure of Grace came and
+went unceasingly. What would she do&mdash;what could she do, to aid him? He
+had warned her not to ask Mr. Phelps to take any steps looking to his
+release. He realized that were Hartmann to appear now, and give him his
+freedom, he would not dare to accept it. That the doctor might do this
+very thing was his greatest fear. If he should insist upon his leaving
+the place, what could he do, then, to recover Monsieur de Grissac's
+snuff box? He prayed fervently that Dufrenne and his companions might in
+some way work out a plan to set matters right.</p>
+
+<p>Presently he fell to thinking of the snuff box, and its safety. How
+fortunate it seemed, that the doctor and his man Mayer had overlooked
+the opera hat. He wondered if they had thought of it since? It was clear
+that they had not, else he would no longer be kept a prisoner. What was
+the room beneath the laboratory used for? Its appearance had suggested
+that it was not used at all&mdash;a mere lumber-room, a place for storing
+boxes and crates. And then there flashed into his mind the thought,
+where was he now? From the apparent distance of the ceiling, as shown by
+the beam of light, he concluded that he was lying on the floor, a
+conclusion which the hardness and coldness of the surface beneath him
+amply proved. Evidently it was a floor of stone, or cement, not one of
+wood. A certain sense of familiarity in his surroundings came over him.
+The faint radiance which was diffused about him by the light cone showed
+the walls before and on either side of him to be of uniform blackness,
+unrelieved by any suggestion of windows. He strove with all his power to
+pierce the shadowy gloom, to come upon some point of recognition, but
+the darkness baffled him.</p>
+
+<p>In one corner a huge shadow, bulking formless against the wall,
+suggested the packing case behind which his opera hat had been tossed by
+Mayer during the search the night before. The thought thrilled him with
+renewed hope. What more likely place, after all, for Hartmann's
+deviltries than this silent room beneath the laboratory? If he was lying
+there now, and chance of escape should come, he might even yet be able
+to take the missing snuff box with him.</p>
+
+<p>The hours dragged interminably. He was conscious of a keen feeling of
+pain, a smarting irritation, in his eyes, which caused tiny streams of
+moisture to trickle beneath their lids and roll unheeded down his
+cheeks. The muscles of his neck became sore and swollen, from his
+incessant though useless effort to turn aside his head. A dull pain
+began to shoot insistently through his temples, and his limbs became
+numb and cold. The desire to escape from the relentless brilliance of
+the light cone became unbearable; he felt as though, if relief did not
+soon come, he would shriek out in a madness of terror. Then the
+hopelessness of doing so became apparent, and he nerved himself with all
+the power of his will to endure the ever-increasing torture. Yet this
+torture was, he knew, largely mental&mdash;the actual pain was by no means
+unbearable; it was only the dull, insistent pounding of the light rays
+upon his eyes, his brain, from which he longed to escape. With closed
+eyes and tensely drawn nerves, he waited, watching the endless play of
+the tracery of light in the dull redness of his eyelids.</p>
+
+<p>The sudden sharp rattle of a key in the door, followed by the turning of
+the knob, told him that someone was entering the room. He had a
+momentary vision of a patch of light, yellow against the surrounding
+blackness, which disappeared almost instantly as the door was closed.
+Then he was conscious of a shadowy form beside him, and heard the
+smooth, modulated tones of Dr. Hartmann's voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Mr. Duvall," he said, "how goes the treatment? Memory any better
+this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>He made no reply. The mockery in the doctor's voice roused him to sudden
+and bitter anger.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm trying a new modification of the light treatment upon you,"
+Hartmann went on, with a jarring laugh. "Dr. Mentone, of Milan, has
+great hopes of it. Wonderful thing, these violet rays! Have you read of
+their use in sterilizing milk? No? The subject would interest you. How
+is your mind this morning? Somewhat irritated, no doubt. Well, well,
+that will soon wear off. You've only been under the treatment six hours.
+Scarcely long enough to produce much effect. We'll make it ten, the next
+time. It is necessary to increase gradually, in order not to superinduce
+insanity." He went to a switch on the wall and pressed it, and instantly
+the cone of light disappeared. Another movement, and the room Was
+flooded with the yellow glow of an electric lamp, which seemed dingy and
+wan, compared with the cold brilliance which it displaced.</p>
+
+<p>The dispelling of darkness brought to Duvall's brain a rush of
+sensations, among which the knowledge that he was once more in the
+lumber-room beneath the laboratory stood forth with overwhelming
+prominence. He glanced at Hartmann with reddened eyes. "Let me up, damn
+you!" he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor bent over him, his face smiling. "Just a moment, Mr. Duvall.
+Have a little patience." He began to unbuckle several straps, and
+presently stood back, with a wave of his hand. "Get up," he said.</p>
+
+<p>The detective's swollen muscles, his stiffened limbs, still retained the
+sensation of being bound; he scarcely realized that his bonds had been
+removed. Painfully he crawled to his feet, and stood before the doctor,
+blinking, trying to collect his faculties. On the floor lay a number of
+broad leather straps, secured to iron rings which had been let into the
+cement floor.</p>
+
+<p>His first thought was to make a quick rush at his captor, and after
+overpowering him, secure the snuff box and dash from the place. His eyes
+must have shown something of his intention, for Hartmann, stepping back
+a pace, drew his right hand from his pocket. It contained an
+ugly-looking magazine pistol. "Don't attempt anything rash, Mr. Duvall.
+It would be useless. Even should you succeed in disposing of me, which I
+hardly think possible, you could not get away from my man Mayer, who is
+waiting in the corridor outside. Enough of this nonsense," he went on,
+scowling. "I mean to be quite frank with you, my friend. I intend to
+subject you to this device of mine&mdash;" he waved his hand toward the
+opening in the ceiling&mdash;"until you disclose the whereabouts of the snuff
+box. I know it is somewhere near at hand, either here or in Brussels,
+for your two assistants, whom I have had released, have been hanging
+about the place all the morning. If the violet rays have no other
+effect, they will at least prevent you from sleeping, and my experience
+shows that loss of sleep, if persisted in, will shatter the best set of
+nerves on earth. You know what the effect is, for six hours. The next
+time, as I said some little while ago, we shall try ten&mdash;and after that,
+longer periods, until the process becomes continuous. I am giving you
+these brief respites, at first, because I have not the least wish to
+drive you mad&mdash;all I ask is the snuff box which you took from my
+messenger Seltz. Give it up, and you can go at your convenience. But I
+must have it&mdash;even if I am obliged to drive you to the limit. I advise
+you to save yourself much suffering, and give it to me now."</p>
+
+<p>The detective drew back his arm&mdash;his fist clenched. The impulse to drive
+it into Hartmann's face was overpowering. He turned abruptly on his
+heel, and made no reply.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann waited for a moment, then seeing that his prisoner was not
+disposed to answer, went toward the door. "Max," he called, opening it,
+"bring in the tray." The attendant at once entered with a waiter
+containing food, which he placed on a box near the door. "Is that all?"
+he asked. Hartmann nodded and the man withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>"Think the matter over, Mr. Duvall," the doctor remarked, as he stepped
+across the threshold of the door. "I shall call upon you again, later in
+the day."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall waited until the door had been closed and locked, and the
+doctor's footsteps had died away up the iron staircase. He heard them
+for a moment, on the floor of the room above, then all was quiet.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment the detective had stepped to the large box in the corner,
+behind which lay, he believed, the discarded opera hat. At a glance, he
+saw that it was still there. He was about to stoop and pick it up, when
+a sudden fear swept over him. Suppose he was being watched. The doctor
+was in the room above. The presence in the room of the beam of light
+showed clearly that there must be an opening in the ceiling, into the
+laboratory. For all he knew, Hartmann might be observing his every
+movement. He stopped in his attempt to pick up the hat, and pretended to
+be greatly interested in the box and its contents. After making a
+careful examination of the labels upon it, he strolled carelessly back
+to the other side of the room, and ate the breakfast which the attendant
+had left. He supposed it to be breakfast, although he had no realization
+of the time. In a moment he felt for his watch, and found that it was
+still in his pocket. When he consulted it, however, he saw at once that
+it had run down.</p>
+
+<p>After his meal, he began to feel terribly tired and sleepy. At first he
+fought off the feeling, realizing that his only hope of freedom lay in
+keeping awake, with all his senses alert. Then he thought of the
+nerve-racking hours through which he had just passed; the many more
+which were likely to follow, and decided that he must have rest at any
+cost. He threw himself upon the floor, his head pillowed upon his arm,
+and was soon sleeping the deep sleep which follows utter exhaustion.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+
+<p>All during the afternoon of the day upon which she had first met her
+husband during his confinement at Dr. Hartmann's, Grace Duvall wandered
+about the place, looking for him, waiting with growing fears for his
+appearance. When evening came, and she had failed to find him, she
+became greatly alarmed. In her excitement, she forgot the word she had
+agreed to send into Brussels by the boy who drove the delivery wagon,
+and was just returning to the house when she heard someone calling to
+her from the drive. She turned and saw that it was the bread boy, who
+had stopped his cart some little distance from the veranda.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," he called, "you have dropped your handkerchief." He
+pointed with his whip to a white object which lay in the roadway close
+beside the wheels of the cart. She had not dropped her handkerchief&mdash;she
+knew that it was at that moment tightly clenched in her left hand, but
+she understood.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," she called, and hurried toward him. The boy, meanwhile, had
+climbed down from the wagon, and picking up the handkerchief, which he
+had himself secretly dropped, handed it to her, with a polite bow. She
+felt, as she clutched the bit of linen, that within it lay a note.</p>
+
+<p>"He is here," she said quickly, in an undertone. "The box is safe. It is
+hidden. They have not yet discovered it. But I am afraid something
+terrible has happened to Mr. Duvall. Tell them to send help, quick." She
+turned away, and the boy mounted his box, whistling gayly, and at once
+drove off.</p>
+
+<p>Grace hurried to her room, to examine the note within the handkerchief.
+She could hardly wait to see what it contained. The contents were a
+great disappointment to her. "Leave the house about ten o'clock
+to-morrow morning," it said. That was all. She had already decided to do
+this, in order to effect, if possible, her husband's release. So far as
+the snuff box was concerned, she felt that she did not care whether the
+doctor discovered it or not, if only she might know that Richard was
+safe. All during the evening she wandered aimlessly about the house,
+hoping each minute that she might come upon him, but her search was in
+vain. Richard Duvall seemed to have vanished completely.</p>
+
+<p>Once she met the doctor, just as she had given up in despair and was
+returning to her room. He spoke pleasantly enough, asked her how she
+felt, and showed much concern that she had refused to eat any supper.
+"You must eat, mademoiselle," he told her. "Have you taken regularly the
+tonic I prescribed?" She nodded, not considering it necessary to inform
+him that she had carefully poured it, dose by dose, into the sink. For a
+moment she thought of asking him what had become of Mr. Brooks, but she
+feared to rouse his suspicions. "I'm feeling somewhat out of sorts," she
+said. "I'll be all right in the morning."</p>
+
+<p>"I am gratified to observe," he remarked, as she left him, "that you had
+no tendency to walk in your sleep last night. I trust the improvement
+will continue. Good-night." She could not determine whether or not there
+lay any hidden meaning back of his words. His mirthless smile somehow
+made her feel uncomfortable.</p>
+
+<p>His words, however, inspired her to form a new plan. She would go to the
+laboratory that night, if she could by any means escape the vigilance of
+the woman on guard in the hall, and find out, if possible, whether or
+not Richard was confined there. From the windows of her room, which
+faced the rear of the house, she could see plainly the small square
+brick building in which the laboratory was located. There were lights in
+the floor on a level with her windows&mdash;that, she knew, was the room in
+which she had seen Hartmann sitting at his desk, on the night of her
+arrival. But there were, she knew, rooms both above and below this one,
+and in the latter lay hidden the Ambassador's snuff box. Was Richard
+confined there, as well? She determined to find out.</p>
+
+<p>The woman who sat on watch in the hall came to her room at half-past ten
+and looked in to see if she required anything. Grace, who was just
+getting into bed, told her that she did not, said good-night sleepily,
+and asked her to turn off the lights. The woman did so, and closing the
+door softly, retired.</p>
+
+<p>Grace lay in bed a long time, wondering how she could get down the hall,
+and into the passageway leading to the laboratory, without being
+observed. There seemed no possible way of accomplishing this, yet she
+was determined to attempt it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint
+ringing of an electric bell. She knew it was the one in the hall, near
+where the nurse sat, by which any of the patients, desiring her presence
+during the night, might summon her to their rooms. Grace slipped out of
+bed, opened her door the slightest crack, so that she could command a
+view of the hall, and peered out. She saw the nurse coming toward her
+with a glass of water in her hand. She disappeared for a moment into a
+room across the corridor, then reappeared almost at once and resumed her
+seat at the head of the stairs.</p>
+
+<p>Grace was disappointed. She had been on the point of starting out, when
+the woman's reappearance prevented her. She crouched on the floor beside
+her door, waiting until the nurse should again be summoned away.</p>
+
+<p>She waited for hours. She heard the church bells in the city, far off
+and muffled, booming the hour of midnight. The nurse on the chair yawned
+and nodded. After what seemed an eternity, she heard one o'clock strike,
+and then two. The house was shrouded in silence. Her knees were cramped
+and cold, from contact with the floor; her whole body seemed sore, from
+the nervous tension of her position. She almost screamed, when the
+electric bell suddenly rang out again, its sound intensified by the
+stillness until it seemed as though it must wake everyone in the house.</p>
+
+<p>The nurse rose sleepily, glanced at the indicator on the wall which
+informed her from which room the summons had come, and started down the
+corridor toward the west wing of the building. As she passed beyond the
+circle of light cast by the electric globe in the central hall, Grace
+pushed her door open and slipped noiselessly out. For a moment she
+hesitated, saw the woman enter a room midway of the corridor, then flew
+like the wind toward the door which gave entrance to the passageway
+leading to the laboratory. Her bare feet made no sound, she gained the
+door without being discovered, and in an instant had swung it open, and
+was standing in the long covered way outside. She drew the door to after
+her noiselessly, then sank upon her knees and listened. In a short while
+she heard the nurse come shuffling down the corridor, and the creaking
+of her chair as she sank heavily into it. So far, she felt that she was
+safe.</p>
+
+<p>She advanced along the corridor with great caution. Her chief fear was
+that the door of the laboratory might be locked, in which case, she
+would be unable to proceed further. When she reached it, and felt it
+yield as she slowly turned the knob, she heaved a sigh of relief. In a
+moment she was in the laboratory.</p>
+
+<p>The room was unlighted, save for a faint glow which came from a small
+black box in the center of the floor. She had no idea what this box was,
+but noticed that heavy wires ran to it, from each side, and that there
+were several protuberances upon its top, which shone like brass. She did
+not stop to examine it further, however, but looked about for some means
+of reaching the room below. The idea of recovering the snuff box had
+suddenly occurred to her. With that in her possession, Richard, she
+believed, need no longer hesitate to escape at the first opportunity. He
+had told her that it was hidden in the room beneath. She ran quickly
+down the steps which she observed in one corner, feeling a glow of
+excitement at the daring of her quest.</p>
+
+<p>At the bottom of the stairs she found a narrow little corridor with a
+heavy door opening on it which she judged led into the room she desired
+to enter. The corridor was lighted by a single window at the end
+opposite the staircase, through which came a faint light from without.</p>
+
+<p>She groped about in the semi-darkness until she found the knob of the
+door and slowly turned it, pressing her weight against the panels. It
+did not yield. With a sickening feeling of disappointment she realized
+that it was locked.</p>
+
+<p>She stood still for a moment, wondering what she should do next.
+Suddenly she shuddered, and a horrible faintness came over her. From
+within the room she distinctly heard the slow moaning of someone
+evidently in great pain. Thoughts of Richard at once rushed through her
+mind; she flung herself on her knees, in an agony of fear, and sought
+frantically for the keyhole. At last she found it, and looked into the
+room. The sight that met her gaze sent her reeling backward. There lay
+Richard, her husband, upon the floor, his face encircled by a ring of
+blinding light, by which she could see, with frightful distinctness, the
+ghastly expression of his features, the lines of agony about his eyes
+and mouth.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment she beat frantically upon the door, calling to him
+incoherently. She thought he did not hear her, for he did not turn his
+head. Then she stopped, frightened at what she had done. Suppose the
+doctor were to overhear her? Everything would be lost. There was but one
+chance for Richard now, she felt, and that lay with her. She would leave
+the house, in the morning, proceed at once to the Minister's, and tell
+him the whole story. Snuff box or no snuff box, she was determined to
+rescue her husband from his present situation, if it was not already too
+late.</p>
+
+<p>For a long time she looked into the room, watching the face, grim and
+silent in the circle of light. She called to him over and over, softly,
+telling him of her plans, of her love for him, of her sorrow, but he
+seemed not to hear. But for the twitching of his face, and the low moans
+which he uttered from time to time, she might have supposed him dead.</p>
+
+<p>How she got back to her room, she could scarcely have told. She
+staggered up the stairs into the laboratory, out along the corridor, and
+at last reached the door leading into the main building. She pushed this
+silently open, and gazed cautiously into the hall. The nurse sat in her
+chair, apparently asleep. With the utmost care, Grace managed to enter
+the hall, and to close the door behind her. Then seeing that the woman
+was rousing, she determined upon a bold plan. She opened her eyes wide,
+trying to give them a vacant, staring appearance, and with arms extended
+started toward the nurse.</p>
+
+<p>The latter rose with an exclamation of alarm, then recognizing the
+sudden apparition as Grace, came up to her, took her by the arm, and led
+her back to her room. She sank helplessly upon the bed, and pretended to
+fall asleep. Whether the woman suspected her or not, she could not
+tell&mdash;she noticed that she locked the door, on leaving the room.</p>
+
+<p>The hours until dawn seemed interminable. She lay in bed, praying that
+there might yet be time in which to save Richard from Hartmann's
+machinations. What it was that the latter was doing to him, she could
+not guess, but the look of agony on Duvall's face told her that his
+sufferings, from some cause, were very great.</p>
+
+<p>After a long time the day broke, and she dressed and managed to choke
+down a little breakfast. She kept in her room until long after nine
+o'clock, not daring to leave the house before ten. Dr. Hartmann came in
+just as she was preparing to go. She saw him glance quickly toward her
+hat, as she put it on. "I'm going in to the city, this morning, doctor,"
+she said, carelessly. "There are a few things I must get at one of the
+shops."</p>
+
+<p>He nodded, as though the matter were quite unimportant. "You had another
+attack, last night, Miss Ellicott," he said. "I regret that the symptoms
+have recurred."</p>
+
+<p>"Did I? What did I do?" she inquired, wide-eyed.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, luckily. Walked down the corridor a short distance, the nurse
+tells me. She stopped you before you got very far." He regarded her with
+his keen professional look. "Strange&mdash;you do not appear abnormally
+nervous. I fear I shall have to begin the hypnotic treatment at once."</p>
+
+<p>She paid but scant attention. If she could accomplish what she hoped,
+this morning, neither Dr. Hartmann nor his treatments would matter in
+the least to her. "I am sorry it will be necessary," she said, "but of
+course you know best."</p>
+
+<p>When she left the grounds, she watched carefully to see if she was being
+followed, but there was nothing to indicate that such was the case. At
+the corner below, a small, youngish-looking man turned in behind her. He
+appeared to have been walking rapidly, but she had no particular reason
+to believe that he was following her.</p>
+
+<p>She made at once for the center of the town, determined to walk the
+distance rather than wait to find a cab. On the way she passed several
+stores, and it occurred to her to stop in at one of them and buy a pair
+of gloves, to lend color to her excuses. She did so, and was just going
+out again when she suddenly came face to face with the young man she had
+thought was following her. "Miss Ellicott," he said, raising his hat,
+and as his hand was poised before her eyes, she saw on his finger a ring
+similar to the one which had been given her in Paris by Monsieur
+Lefevre, on the day of her departure. She colored, started to pass on,
+then stopped. "Good-morning," she gasped, faintly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so glad to see you," he rattled on. "Don't you remember our being
+introduced, at dinner one night, in Paris. I'm delighted to meet you
+again. On your way down-town, I suppose?" His remark seemed a question.
+She answered it at once. "Yes, a little shopping to do, and then I
+thought of stopping at the house of some friends&mdash;the United States
+Minister," she added, by way of explanation.</p>
+
+<p>The stranger bowed. "May I have the pleasure of accompanying you?" he
+asked. "I also am going in that direction."</p>
+
+<p>Grace assented, and they went out together. At the door the man summoned
+a cab. "It is safer," he whispered. "We may be observed."</p>
+
+<p>Once inside the cab, which was a closed one, the young man began to ply
+Grace with questions. "I am one of Monsieur Lefevre's men," he told her,
+noting her momentary hesitation. "Be quite frank, please, and tell me
+everything."</p>
+
+<p>When she had finished her story, he sat in silence for a long time. Then
+he turned to her with a question which made her think he had suddenly
+lost his mind. "Has Dr. Hartmann a phonograph in the house?" he
+inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"A phonograph?" she looked at him curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;yes." His voice betrayed his excitement. "We must send a message
+to Mr. Duvall. Your windows overlook the room where he is confined. He
+may hear it. It is the only way."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, after a moment's thought. "There is a phonograph in the
+library&mdash;a small one. It is seldom used. But Dr. Hartmann&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to me," he interrupted, "and do exactly as I say. Pretend to be
+ill. Ask Dr. Hartmann's permission to have the instrument moved to your
+room. Then play the records which I am about to get for you."</p>
+
+<p>She gazed at him, scarcely understanding. "But&mdash;" she began.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you will play other records, as well, but this one you must
+play often&mdash;as often as possible. I do not know that Mr. Duvall will
+understand what the message is&mdash;it is a chance, but we must take it. I
+myself do not understand it very clearly, but the suggestion comes from
+Monsieur Lefevre himself. You know him. He has your husband's safety at
+heart." He leaned out, giving a few rapid instructions to the cabman,
+and then once more turned to Grace.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not visit the house of the United States Minister. It will be most
+unwise. As soon as he learns that Mr. Duvall and yourself are at Dr.
+Hartmann's house as spies, he will of necessity refuse to assist you
+further. Should he not do so, should he demand Mr. Duvall's release,
+nothing would be gained, since the snuff box would of necessity be left
+behind. Dr. Hartmann will not injure your husband&mdash;he is too anxious to
+get possession of the snuff box for that. We will try the phonograph,
+to-day, and if that means is unsuccessful, we must make an attempt to
+regain the box, and release your husband by force."</p>
+
+<p>As he finished speaking, the cab drew up at a music store. The stranger
+sprang out, and in a few moments reappeared with a small package in his
+hand. He handed it to her, then removed his hat and bowed. "I would
+suggest, mademoiselle, that you return at once, and make use of this as
+I have directed. If anything further occurs, send word by the delivery
+boy to-night." He bowed, and walked rapidly down the street.</p>
+
+<p>Grace sadly ordered the cabman to return to Dr. Hartmann's, and then sat
+back, her mind torn by conflicting emotions. The whole thing seemed
+inexplicably mysterious and confusing. Here was Richard, her husband,
+suffering she knew not what agonies at Dr. Hartmann's hands, and these
+people, who ought to be attempting to liberate him, asked her to play
+upon the phonograph. She tore open the package which the young man had
+handed her, and glanced at it eagerly. Its title told her no more than
+the stranger himself had done. She read it over and over, aimlessly. It
+was <i>The Rosary</i>.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>The dull, heavy sleep into which Richard Duvall had fallen, after Dr.
+Hartmann had left him, was suddenly disturbed by the realization that
+someone had seized him roughly by the arms. He attempted to rise,
+struggling instinctively against the two men who, he dimly saw, were
+bending over him, but his resistance was useless. In a moment the
+leather straps which encircled his wrists and ankles had been drawn
+tight, and he felt himself being lifted bodily and deposited on the
+floor in the center of the room. At first he cried out, cursing his
+captors loudly, but an instant's reflection showed him how profitless
+his remonstrances were, and he allowed himself to be bound to the floor
+in silence. In a moment, Dr. Hartmann&mdash;the detective saw that it was he,
+with Mayer&mdash;had switched on the violet light, and he once more felt its
+blinding radiance upon his face.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann opened the door. "I shall be back again in a few hours," he
+said, as he left the room. "I hope that by that time you will have quite
+recovered your senses."</p>
+
+<p>The detective made no reply. He had definitely made up his mind upon one
+point: he was not going to purchase his freedom at the expense of his
+duty. The unfortunate situation in which he now found himself was, he
+knew very well, entirely his own fault, and his desire to atone for his
+momentary carelessness made him determined not to accede to Dr.
+Hartmann's demands. He hoped that his friends outside&mdash;Lablanche,
+Dufrenne, even Grace&mdash;might be able to come to his assistance. If he
+could only know that the snuff box was safe in Monsieur Lefevre's hands,
+the rest did not matter much.</p>
+
+<p>These thoughts passed through his mind as he lay with closed eyes, his
+face quivering under the dazzling light which fell upon it. Its
+intensity was, he thought, greater, if anything, than it had been
+before, and the irritating effect upon his eyes more pronounced. He did
+not open his eyes at all, on this occasion, for fear even a momentary
+exposure would increase their sensitiveness.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly the day passed. He concluded that it was afternoon, when he heard
+far off a bell striking the hour of two, although it might equally well
+have been two o'clock in the morning, for all he could tell. There was a
+faint hum of conversation in the laboratory above him, which convinced
+him that it was still day.</p>
+
+<p>Presently his ear, acutely sensitive to the slightest noise which might
+disturb the stillness about him, became aware of a faint sound of music,
+which seemed to come to him from a long distance off. It was a popular
+French march, and from a certain quality of the notes he concluded that
+it was being played upon a phonograph. The strains of the music
+distracted him, took his mind from the things about him, and as he
+listened to it, it seemed that the effort of keeping his eyes tightly
+closed grew sensibly less, the blinding pressure of the unwavering light
+cone upon his face appreciably easier to bear. He knew that this was but
+a momentary relief, but he welcomed it eagerly. Lying in this terrifying
+silence, under the cruel glare of light, had become frightful&mdash;he
+wondered if, after all, his nerves, his mind, could long stand the
+strain.</p>
+
+<p>The music stopped suddenly. He found himself eagerly hoping that there
+would be more. In a few moments it began again, and he was listening to
+the familiar strains of <i>The Rosary</i>. He had always liked the
+song&mdash;Grace, too, had been fond of it. He wondered if she could be
+playing to him, trying to soothe his fast-shattering nerves with music.
+It pleased him to think that it might be so, although he had no reason
+to suppose that Grace knew of the torture to which Dr. Hartmann was
+subjecting him.</p>
+
+<p>After a time, the final strains of <i>The Rosary</i> died away, to be
+followed by a German march, played by some military band. This, too, he
+was glad to hear, although he found himself thinking that he preferred
+<i>The Rosary</i>. As if in answer to his thoughts, it began again&mdash;he found
+himself repeating the words to himself mechanically, and thinking of
+Grace.</p>
+
+<p>The music continued for long over an hour. Duvall noted with surprise
+that while there were many other selections, <i>The Rosary</i> was played
+almost every other time. So often, in fact, did its strains break the
+stillness, that he became annoyed&mdash;in his nervous state this constant
+repetition of the song worried him. After a time he shuddered when he
+heard it, hoping that each time would be the last. No one but an
+imbecile, he muttered to himself, could enjoy playing a piece over and
+over in that aimless fashion. When at last the impromptu concert had
+ceased, and the silence about him was once more unbroken, he found
+himself puzzling in vain over the matter, as though it had become of
+vast importance to him.</p>
+
+<p>After the music ceased, he realized how much it had helped him to endure
+the two or more hours which had elapsed since Hartmann left him. His
+real tortures were only just beginning. The constant blaze of light on
+his face, the ceaseless effort to keep his eyes closed, to turn his head
+away, in spite of the bonds which prevented it, once more almost
+frenzied him. He fell to wondering whether Hartmann had been in earnest,
+when he told him of the qualities of the violet rays. Could they in any
+way affect his mind? The mere thought stimulated his imagination to such
+an extent that already he was convinced that his senses were
+wandering&mdash;that his mind was becoming sluggish and dull.</p>
+
+<p>As hour after hour passed, this thought became almost a certainty. His
+head began again to ache terribly, his eyes seemed to swim in pools of
+liquid fire. Bright flashes of light darted through his brain, and at
+times it seemed almost on fire. The pain which the constant effort to
+turn his head caused, was becoming more acute as each minute passed&mdash;he
+felt constantly on the point of screaming out in terror&mdash;begging for
+release&mdash;agreeing to do anything they asked of him. Then with a mighty
+effort of the will he would calm himself, and closing his eyes tightly
+once more, determine to endure until the end.</p>
+
+<p>After an interminable period, the sound of the music once more fell upon
+his troubled brain. This time the strains sounded more distinct and
+clear. Three times in rapid succession <i>The Rosary</i> was played, then
+sudden silence. He waited in vain for more&mdash;dreading the recurrence of
+the song, yet expecting it, as one expects the continuance of any
+oft-repeated sound. There was nothing further, however, and once more
+the silence became like the darkness about him, a grim and positive
+thing.</p>
+
+<p>Hours later, when his brain reeled endlessly in a blazing redness, and
+his tortured eyes seemed bursting from their sockets, the cone of violet
+light vanished as though some silent hand had brushed it aside, and in
+the reaction he fainted.</p>
+
+<p>He awoke again to find himself lying on the floor, with Hartmann bending
+over him, feeling his pulse. In a fit of rage, he struck out with his
+clenched hand, and missing, scrambled to his feet. The room was faintly
+lit by the single electric globe, and he saw Mayer and Dr. Hartmann
+confronting him, the latter with a revolver in his hand. Once more he
+realized the futility of resistance, and sank against a packing box, his
+hand covering his burning eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The latter appeared to be no longer in his former state of sardonic good
+nature. "Are you ready to tell us what you have done with the box?" he
+snarled.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall made no reply, and this angered the doctor still further. "I'll
+give you an hour to think the matter over," he said, furiously. "And if
+you don't come to terms by that time, you shall stay under the influence
+of the light until you do." He turned toward the door, followed by
+Mayer, and in a moment they had left the room.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall, in his pain and distress, realized that something would have to
+be done at once, within the next hour, in fact, or he would be obliged
+to give up. Physical torture he could stand, but to lie here silently,
+under that cruel radiance, and realize that his brain was slowly giving
+way, he felt he could not endure.</p>
+
+<p>Yet what was there that he could do? The walls of the room, of solid
+brick, he could not hope to penetrate. The door, of iron, a dozen men
+could not break through. He forced his shoulder against it, and laughed
+bitterly as he realized that with all his strength he could not even
+cause it to give the fraction of an inch. He determined to get the snuff
+box&mdash;to examine it&mdash;reckless of his fear of being observed. In a moment
+he had snatched the opera hat from the corner, torn out the lining, and
+held the box in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>He paused for a moment, listening intently. Everything about him was
+still. There were no sounds from the laboratory above. He remembered now
+that he had not heard Hartmann and his companion ascend the iron
+stairway. Doubtless they had returned to the main building by means of
+the lower corridor.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment he had hung the torn opera hat over the knob of the door, to
+prevent anyone from observing him through the keyhole, and going
+directly beneath the bracket which held the electric globe, proceeded to
+examine the box carefully.</p>
+
+<p>The first thought that came to his mind, filled him with a strange
+feeling of hope. He had no more than glanced at the top of the box when
+he saw what he had previously failed to observe, that the circle of
+pearls upon its top formed a rosary, which was completed by the ivory
+cross in the center. The Rosary! Why had this song been so persistently
+and continuously played? Was it for him, some message, indeed, intended
+to show him a way out of his difficulties? Yet if so, to what did it
+lead? There was a rosary upon the top of the box, it is true, but what
+of it? Absently he began to count the pearls, hardly realizing what he
+was doing. One of them, he noted, the one at the very top of the cross,
+was larger than the others, and he started here, slowly counting around
+the circumference of the box. His eyes pained him frightfully and twice
+he lost count and had to begin all over again, but on the third attempt
+he discovered that the pearls numbered twenty-six. Even yet, the
+significance of this fact did not occur to him&mdash;he began to count the
+pearls again, mechanically.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly, in a flash, the thing came to him. Twenty-six
+pearls&mdash;twenty-six letters in the alphabet. Evidently the box, in some
+way, formed a cipher, a secret alphabet, which might be used in
+correspondence, or in the preparation of important documents, yet
+how&mdash;how?</p>
+
+<p>With repressed eagerness he held the box more closely to the light,
+searching its surface for some further clue. At once he noticed the
+arrangement of the concentric circles of letters which made up the Latin
+prayer. The words were so written that each letter stood opposite a
+pearl, and reading inward from each pearl, there was a row of letters
+six deep reaching almost to the center of the box. Clearly here were six
+different ciphers, that is, six circles of twenty-six letters each, any
+one of which might constitute a working cipher. It was only necessary to
+call the big pearl at the top "<i>A</i>," and here were six different letters
+opposite it, any one of which, in a system of cipher writing, might be
+used as the letter <i>A</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall, however, knew enough about ciphers to know that such an
+arrangement constituted no cipher at all, in other words, that ciphers
+so simple, so readily solved, as this, would never be employed in any
+case where absolute secrecy was imperative. He felt that there was
+something more to the matter than he had so far discovered.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he saw that, just beyond each pearl, was engraved on the ivory
+rim of the box a number&mdash;starting with the large pearl at the top as
+number one, the circle of numbers ran around the edge of the box until
+it returned to its starting point, at number twenty-six. In his efforts
+to see these numbers, which were very small, he gripped the box tightly
+in his hands to hold it the more steadily toward the rather dim light.
+In doing so, he suddenly became aware of the fact that the rim or edge
+of the box, containing the numbers and the circle of pearls, was
+movable. It fitted so cunningly into the top of the box, that the joint
+appeared not as a crack or perceptible space, but merely as a fine thin
+line, apparently a part of the engraving on its surface. Holding the
+lower part of the box firmly in his left hand, he turned the rim of the
+top slowly about. At once the purpose of this became apparent. Not only
+had each pearl, representing a letter of the alphabet, six corresponding
+values from rim to center, in any one position, but by turning the rim
+around, twenty-six such positions could be secured, making a total of
+one hundred and fifty-six different alphabets from which a person
+desiring to use a cipher might choose.</p>
+
+<p>Again, however, Duvall was conscious of a feeling of disappointment. One
+hundred and fifty-six different ciphers were no better than a single
+one, if only one were used. Evidently he had not yet reached the
+solution of the problem. In employing such a system of ciphers, some
+combination, precisely similar to the combinations used on the locks of
+safes, would have to be used. It was absolutely necessary, in order to
+insure safety, to use not one cipher, but a large number, changing the
+arrangement of the letters with each line written&mdash;even with each word,
+in order to defy solution. Yet such an arrangement being purely
+arbitrary, could not well be trusted to memory, for, once forgotten, the
+translation of the document written, even by the writer himself, would
+be absolutely impossible. It occurred to him that as there were six
+different concentric lines of lettering, each constituting in itself a
+complete cipher, the obvious way to use the box would be to place the
+pearls in a given position, write six words, using a different alphabet
+for each word, and then shift the ring of pearls to a new position, and
+repeat the operation. This, of course, could be done indefinitely,
+although half a dozen changes would be sufficient to insure a cipher
+that would absolutely defy solution. Where, however, was the key? That,
+after all, was the important matter; without it, the snuff box would be
+as useless to Monsieur de Grissac as it would be to his enemies
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>For many minutes Duvall puzzled over the matter, unable to reach any
+satisfactory conclusion. Then he began to think of the song which had so
+clearly been repeated, over and over, as a message to him from outside.
+The words of the refrain began to run aimlessly through his mind, his
+eyes upon the box. Suddenly he realized that the word cross, in its
+repetitions, its position as the final word of the song, must have a
+definite meaning. Before his eyes he saw the cross, so delicately carved
+as to project scarcely an eighth of an inch above the thin and fragile
+ivory surface. Instinctively he began to push at it, pressing it this
+way and that, to discover, if possible, any spring or other means
+whereby it might be made to turn or lift up. As he did so, his fingers
+unconsciously pressed upon the large pearl at the top. In a moment the
+upper surface of the cross slid to one side, disclosing a tiny shallow
+cavity beneath it, some quarter of an inch in either direction, and no
+deeper than the thickness of a piece of cardboard. Within this lay a bit
+of tissue paper, tightly folded.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall drew it carefully out and examined it. Upon it were written six
+numbers: 12-16-2-8-20-4. There was nothing else upon the paper, but
+Duvall realized that he held in his hand the key of the cipher.</p>
+
+<p>At once Monsieur de Grissac's agitation, the servant No&euml;l's death,
+Hartmann's persecution of him, became clear. Evidently there were
+documents, somewhere, of some nature, which this cipher made
+intelligible and which, without it, were proof against all attempts to
+read them. What were these documents? Were they in Hartmann's hands?
+These questions, he knew, could not be answered now.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the question rose in his mind: What should he do next? By
+destroying the tiny slip of paper, he could render the snuff box
+valueless. Without the key, no one could use it with success. But, the
+key once destroyed, how could Monsieur de Grissac himself read the
+documents, for the preparing of which it had been utilized? Possibly, if
+Hartmann had such documents, they were but copies, obtained through the
+corruption of some clerk, while the originals remained in De Grissac's
+possession. For these reasons he dared not destroy the cipher, at least
+until all other means of escape had been exhausted. Then he realized, in
+a flash, that if he proposed to utilize the return of the snuff box as a
+means of obtaining his freedom, he could not hope to do so, if the key
+was removed. Doubtless Hartmann knew of its existence. In some way he
+had learned, possibly through the murdered man No&euml;l, that the box
+contained such a key, and would examine it, and satisfy himself that it
+had not been removed, before he would allow him to leave the place. This
+would inevitably result in his being searched, and the key, concealed
+about his person, found. He stood in an agony of doubt, wondering which
+alternative he should take.</p>
+
+<p>His reflections were rudely disturbed by the sound of footsteps in the
+corridor outside the door. In a moment he had replaced the tiny bit of
+paper in the recess beneath the cross, slid the latter back into place,
+and thrust the box beneath a mass of straw which lay on top of the
+packing case against which he had been leaning. Then he turned toward
+the door and had barely time to hurl the opera hat into a dark corner,
+when the door opened, and Hartmann appeared on the threshold.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was not until early in the afternoon that Grace was able to
+accomplish anything toward carrying out the instructions which young
+Lablanche had given her with respect to the phonograph. On her return to
+Dr. Hartmann's from her expedition to Brussels, she went at once to her
+room, and locked the record which Lablanche had given her in her trunk.
+There was nothing to be done now, until after luncheon.</p>
+
+<p>When the meal was over, she asked one of the attendants, who seemed to
+be a sort of housekeeper, or head nurse, if there would be any objection
+to her taking the phonograph, which was a small and rather cheap affair,
+to her room. She wished to amuse herself, she explained, playing over
+some of the records.</p>
+
+<p>The woman regarded her curiously for a moment, but as there seemed
+nothing out of the way in the request, she assented, with the caution,
+however, that she should not use the instrument except during the day.
+"Some of our patients are very nervous," she explained. "It might annoy
+them, if they were sleeping. Of course, if there are any complaints, you
+will not continue."</p>
+
+<p>Grace got one of the nurses to carry the instrument to her room, and
+selected several records from those which she found in a cabinet on
+which it stood. There were several American records&mdash;she took all of
+these, and some others selected at random.</p>
+
+<p>She did not play The Rosary at once, but made use of one of the other
+records. The horn of the instrument she directed toward the open window.
+When she had finished the first air, and adjusted her own record upon
+the plate of the machine, she felt afraid that it might at once be
+recognized as strange and new, but apparently no one paid any attention
+to it.</p>
+
+<p>She continued her playing as long as she dared without running the risk
+of attracting undue attention. When at last she stopped, she felt as
+though she never wanted to hear the strains of The Rosary again.</p>
+
+<p>After dinner, she determined to disregard the suggestion of the
+housekeeper to confine her playing to the daytime, and moving the
+machine somewhat nearer the window, played the song over three times in
+rapid succession. She had just begun to rewind the clockwork for a
+fourth time when there was a loud knocking at the door, and Dr. Hartmann
+entered hastily in response to her rather frightened "Come in."</p>
+
+<p>He was scowling fiercely, and took no pains to conceal the fact that he
+was angry. "Miss Ellicott," he growled, "we cannot possibly permit you
+to play the instrument any longer. It annoys the other patients. I am
+surprised that my housekeeper did not inform you so at once. Several
+have already complained. I shall have to take it back to the library."
+He gathered up the instrument and started toward the door, then seemed
+for a moment to regret his brusqueness. "You will pardon me, I know, but
+it is quite out of the question. Good-evening." In a moment he had gone.</p>
+
+<p>Grace sat down and burst into tears. It was not the taking away of the
+phonograph which distressed her&mdash;she felt that if anything could be
+accomplished by its use, it had already been done&mdash;but the hopelessness
+of the whole situation.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly eighteen hours had elapsed, since she had stolen, half-fainting,
+from the sight of Richard's white and agonized face. Even Lablanche's
+assurances that Hartmann would do her husband no serious injury, failed
+to comfort her. The whole affair of the phonograph seemed trivial and
+useless. What message could the words of this song give him&mdash;what in
+fact could they mean to anyone, except a message of hopeless love?</p>
+
+<p>When the hour for going to bed had come, she threw herself, without
+undressing, on the bed, and lay sleepless, in the darkened room. The
+vision of Richard, as she had seen him, his face within the circle of
+light, the night before, tortured her incessantly. It seemed somehow so
+wrong, so cowardly of her, to lie here in comfort doing nothing to aid
+him who, in name at least, was united to her forever, and in love was
+more dear to her than her own soul. She could not sleep, and presently
+rose and sat at the window, her elbows resting upon the sill, gazing
+hungrily out at the little square brick building where she knew Richard
+lay confined.</p>
+
+<p>The hours of the night dragged along on leaden feet. Once she heard the
+closing of a door, and the sound of footsteps echoing faintly upon the
+cement floor of the lower corridor. Within the laboratory all seemed
+dark. Evidently the doctor was not there. Then she heard, through her
+half-opened door, noises of persons walking in the lower hallway of the
+main building and after that the sharp closing of a door. She concluded
+that Hartmann had gone into his office.</p>
+
+<p>The woman on duty in the hall sat in her chair, reading and yawning.
+After a time, Grace heard the faint ringing of her bell, and the woman,
+after consulting the indicator, began to descend the stairs with a
+surprised look upon her face. It seemed like a providential opportunity.
+She slipped quietly through the doorway and sped as swiftly as she could
+down the hall.</p>
+
+<p>She reached the door opening into the corridor, without hearing or
+seeing anything to cause her alarm, and passed through it unseen. As she
+closed it behind her, she fancied she heard someone walking quickly
+along the corridor beneath. The passageway in which she stood was in
+reality nothing but a covered bridge, a few feet wide, built for the
+sole purpose of providing a means of passing to the laboratory from the
+second floor of the main building. Beneath it, a similar passageway
+connected the ground floors of the two buildings.</p>
+
+<p>She realized that anyone in the corridor beneath her could readily hear
+her footsteps on the wooden floor above, and stood, hesitating, just
+inside the door, waiting until they should have passed. In a few
+moments, the sounds below ceased, and silence again reigned.</p>
+
+<p>With great timidity and caution, she began to walk toward the laboratory
+door. In the center of the corridor, and half way down its length, a
+single electric lamp shed a dim light on her path. She realized that if,
+by chance, anyone should be within the darkened laboratory, they could
+readily see her approaching, and therefore assumed once more the manner
+and bearing of a person walking in their sleep. She had passed the light
+in the middle of the corridor, and was nearing the darkened laboratory
+door, when suddenly she heard a faint click, and almost at once the
+laboratory was brilliantly illuminated.</p>
+
+<p>By the light which suddenly flashed upon her, she saw two figures
+standing in the open door of the laboratory, watching her intently. One
+of these figures was Dr. Hartmann, the other the tall blond man she had
+seen with him in the laboratory several nights before. But it was not
+the sudden appearance of the two watching figures which caused her heart
+to sink, and a cold perspiration to break out upon her forehead. The
+sudden rush of light upon the floor of the passageway had shown her
+something else&mdash;something far more strange and terrifying. As her gaze
+swept ahead, she saw that, for a space of some four or five feet, in
+front of the laboratory door, the wooden planking which constituted the
+floor of the passageway had been removed, and instead of the solid
+foot-way there yawned blackly an impassable opening, through which, in
+another moment, she would plunge headlong to the concrete floor of the
+corridor beneath.</p>
+
+<p>The sight filled her with dismay. She realized at once why Hartmann and
+his companion stood there watching her&mdash;why the section of flooring had
+been removed. He had evidently become suspicious of her movements, the
+night before, and had laid this trap to test her. If she was in truth
+walking in her sleep, she would, she supposed, walk fearlessly into the
+yawning gap before&mdash;if her somnambulism was a sham, a trick, she would
+hesitate, and her fraud be discovered.</p>
+
+<p>She did not know what to do, as step by step she approached that black
+and gaping hole. If she kept up her pretense, if she had sufficient
+courage to go ahead, of what would it avail Richard or Monsieur Lefevre,
+should she maintain her assumed character at the expense of a broken
+leg, or neck? On the other hand, to halt, to hold back, would be to
+destroy at once all chance of her being of any further service to her
+husband, and that, too, at a time when he most sorely needed her.</p>
+
+<p>These considerations flashed through her brain with the speed of light
+itself. She had scarcely taken half a dozen steps before she found
+herself upon the brink of the opening, and realized that the next step,
+if she took it, might be her last.</p>
+
+<p>Then she suddenly collapsed. The effort was too great&mdash;she sank
+helplessly upon the floor, her face buried in her arms, her whole body
+shaking with the force of her sobbing.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant Hartmann had sprung across the opening and grasped her by
+the wrist, while his companion was engaged in rapidly replacing over the
+gap the section of flooring which had been removed. Within a few moments
+the passageway was as it had been before, and the doctor was dragging
+her roughly into the laboratory.</p>
+
+<p>She did not cry out&mdash;there was no one from whom she could expect aid.
+She drew herself up and faced her captor with dry eyes and a face calm,
+though pale. "What do you mean, Dr. Hartmann," she demanded, steadily,
+"by treating me in this way?"</p>
+
+<p>He forced her into a chair. "Sit down, young woman," he said, gruffly.
+"I have a few questions to ask you."</p>
+
+<p>She did so, without protest, summoning to her aid all her powers of
+resistance and will. He should get nothing from her, she determined.</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you come into my house," he presently asked, glaring at her in
+anger, "under pretense of desiring medical treatment? What is it you
+want here?"</p>
+
+<p>She made no reply, gazing at him steadily&mdash;fearlessly.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this man Duvall to you?" he shouted. "Tell me, or it will be
+the worse for you both."</p>
+
+<p>Again she faced him, refusing to answer. Her resistance made him
+furious. "Your silence will profit you nothing," he went on. "You can do
+no further harm here, for I know your purpose. You are working with
+him&mdash;you are a detective&mdash;a spy, as he is. You pretend to be a
+somnambulist in order to carry out your ends. I suspected you long ago.
+Now I know. This man has robbed me of something that I am determined to
+have. What he has done with it&mdash;where it is concealed, I do not know,
+but I mean to have it&mdash;be sure of that. If you know&mdash;you had better
+confess, if you have any regard for his welfare."</p>
+
+<p>His words, his brutal manner, brought the tears to her eyes. She
+realized that she had but to say a few words, to save Richard from she
+knew not what fate, yet equally she knew that she could not say
+them&mdash;that he would not want her to say them. In her agitation she took
+a handkerchief from her dress and pressed it to her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The man Mayer had been regarding her in silence throughout the whole
+scene. Suddenly he stepped forward and snatched the handkerchief from
+her hand. His quick eyes had detected a monogram in one corner of the
+bit of cambric, and with an air of triumph he held it beneath the light,
+examining it closely.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann came to him. "What is it, Mayer?" he asked, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>His assistant extended the handkerchief to him. Grace realized with a
+sinking heart that it was one of several she had herself embroidered
+during the weeks preceding her marriage. With what pride, she reflected,
+she had worked over the G and D, lovingly intertwined in one corner.
+"His wife!" she heard Hartmann cry, with a harsh laugh. "That explains
+everything. That was why he did not leave Brussels at once&mdash;he was
+waiting for her&mdash;he would not go without her." He turned to Grace with a
+new expression on his face. "So you are his wife, eh? Very well. Now we
+shall see whether or not you will tell me what I want to know. Your
+husband is confined in the room below us. This"&mdash;he indicated the small
+black box with wires attached&mdash;"is a device which I have constructed for
+producing certain light rays&mdash;light rays which have a marvelous power,
+both for curing, and producing disease. Look!" He held his powerful hand
+before her eyes. "This is what they did to me, before I discovered how
+to control them." She saw, stretching across the back of his hand and
+wrist, a broad red patch, like the scar remaining after a burn. "Now
+come here." He seized her by the wrist and dragged her toward the
+apparatus at the center of the room. "Look&mdash;in there." He indicated a
+short brass tube which rose from the center of the box, resembling the
+eyepiece of a microscope. "Look!"</p>
+
+<p>Grace bent over and applied her eye to the brass tube, then shrank back
+with an exclamation of horror. "Richard!" she screamed, then turned on
+Hartmann with the fury of a tigress. "Let him go&mdash;let him go&mdash;I say, or
+I will&mdash;" She realized her helplessness&mdash;the futility of her threats,
+and fell into the chair in a paroxysm of sobbing. Through the brass
+tube, and the powerful lens which focused the light rays upon the space
+below, she had seen Richard's face, white and drawn, within a disk of
+blinding light, and apparently so near to her that she could have
+reached out and touched it. In her momentary glance, she noted his
+reddened eyes, the tears which coursed from beneath their lids, the
+agony which distorted his countenance.</p>
+
+<p>"Now will you tell me what I ask?" cried Hartmann, triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>Still she made no reply. Her heart was breaking, her suffering at the
+knowledge of his suffering made her faint and weak, but even now she
+could not bring herself to break the trust which Monsieur Lefevre had
+placed in her. She sat huddled up in the chair, shaking from head to
+foot with sobs.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann saw that her resistance was as yet unbroken. "Take her arm,
+Mayer," he called out, as he seized her by one wrist. "Come along now.
+We'll see if a closer view will have any effect." He snatched up a broad
+leather strap from a shelf along the wall, then, with Mayer's
+assistance, half-led, half dragged her to the iron stairway in the
+corner. In a few moments they had paused before the door of the room
+where the detective lay confined. Hartmann threw it open and pushed
+Grace inside, while he and Mayer followed, closing the door behind them.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Grace was dazzled by the brightness of the light cone, and
+the darkness of the remainder of the room. Then seeing Richard lying
+helpless on the floor before her, she threw herself to her knees, put
+her arms about his neck, and covered his face with kisses. "My
+darling&mdash;my poor boy!" she cried, as she bent over him, her shoulders
+shutting off from his tortured face the blinding rays of the light.
+"What have they done to you?"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+
+<p>Grace had remained upon her knees beside the prostrate figure of her
+husband but a moment, when she was torn away by Hartmann and his
+assistant, and before she realized their intention, the former had
+slipped about her waist the broad leather strap he had brought from the
+room above, and was busy securing it to an iron staple fixed in the wall
+at one side of the room. Then he stood back and surveyed the scene with
+a smile of satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, Mayer," he observed, grimly, "my purpose. The wife sees the
+husband's suffering. If he refuses to speak, she will speak. One or the
+other will tell us what we want to know, of that you may be sure. Let us
+leave them to talk matters over." He and his man at once left the room,
+and in a few moments Grace heard their footsteps upon the floor of the
+laboratory above.</p>
+
+<p>"Richard," she cried, softly, "are you suffering very much?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, dear," he said, trying vainly to turn his head so that he
+might see her. "What has happened&mdash;why have they brought you here?"</p>
+
+<p>She told him her story, brokenly, with many sobs. "I could not help it,
+Richard," she moaned. "I did my best. I could not help their finding out
+everything."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, dear. You have done all you could. Is there any news from
+outside?"</p>
+
+<p>"None. They told me to play the phonograph to send you a message. Did
+you hear it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I heard, and understood."</p>
+
+<p>"Understood? Then you know something&mdash;you have some hope?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. It may be, although I cannot see what to do now. I dare
+not tell you more than that&mdash;these scoundrels are undoubtedly listening
+in the room above."</p>
+
+<p>"Richard, what is that light? What is it they mean to do to you? Dr.
+Hartmann showed me his hand&mdash;it was all scarred and burned. He said it
+came from that." She looked toward the glowing cone of light with bitter
+anger.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know&mdash;exactly. I am not sure. The agony of the thing is very
+great&mdash;it burns into my eyes&mdash;into my brain. Hartmann says it will
+produce insanity. I do not know whether this is true or not. I begin to
+feel that perhaps it may be&mdash;not that the light itself can produce it,
+but that inability to sleep, pain, nervous exhaustion, the constant
+glare and brilliance before my eyes&mdash;those things might cause a man to
+go insane, if they were kept up long enough."</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;he&mdash;he will not dare to do that."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall groaned, striving in vain to turn his head to one side. "He
+intends to keep me here, until I tell him where he can find the snuff
+box," he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>"Richard!" Grace fairly screamed out his name. "Then you must tell&mdash;you
+<i>must</i>! You cannot let yourself go mad&mdash;not even for Monsieur Lefevre."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not tell&mdash;no matter what comes," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Then <i>I</i> will. I refuse to let you suffer like this. I can't do it, I
+won't. If you do not speak, I shall. Oh, my God! Don't you see&mdash;I love
+you&mdash;I love you so&mdash;what do I care about this foolish snuff box? I want
+you&mdash;you&mdash;and I <i>won't</i> let them take you away from me."</p>
+
+<p>"Grace, you shall not tell them."</p>
+
+<p>"I will."</p>
+
+<p>"I forbid it."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot help it, Richard. I am ready to disobey you&mdash;if I must, to
+save your life. Even if you turn from me&mdash;afterward&mdash;I cannot help it. I
+refuse to let them go ahead with this thing."</p>
+
+<p>He groaned in desperation. "Please&mdash;please&mdash;my girl&mdash;listen to me. You
+must not speak. We must think of our duty to those who have trusted us.
+Wait, I implore you. Don't do this!"</p>
+
+<p>"I will. I have a duty to you which is greater than my duty to them. Dr.
+Hartmann!" she screamed. "I will tell everything&mdash;everything." She
+collapsed against the wall and sobbed as though her heart would break.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments they heard Hartmann and Mayer descending the steps, and
+the door was thrown open.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, so you have come to your senses, have you?" the doctor cried.
+"Well, what have you to say?"</p>
+
+<p>Grace raised her head. "If I tell you where the ivory snuff box is
+hidden," she said, "will you let my husband go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Your husband, and yourself, and the rat we've just caught sneaking
+around outside. He's up in the laboratory now. You can all take
+yourselves off as quickly as you like, when once the snuff box is in my
+hands. Now speak."</p>
+
+<p>"First, let my husband up."</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann went to the wall, and switching off the violet rays, turned on
+the electric lamp, then nodded to Mayer. "Unbind him," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall staggered to his feet, half-blinded. As he did so, Hartmann
+turned to Grace. "Speak!" he commanded. "We are wasting time."</p>
+
+<p>Before Grace could reply, Duvall turned to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I forbid you," he cried. "If you do this thing, I will never see you
+again as long as I live. You are destroying my honor. I refuse to let
+you do it. Stop!"</p>
+
+<p>The girl hesitated, and Hartmann swore a great oath. "Take her out of
+here, Mayer," he cried. "She'll never speak, as long as her husband is
+present to dissuade her. Up with her to the laboratory. She'll talk
+there, quick enough."</p>
+
+<p>"No!" Duvall staggered toward her. "You shall not." His movements were
+slow and uncertain, due to the blinding pain in his eyes, and his
+stiffened, nerve-racked limbs. Hartmann pushed him aside angrily. "Be
+quiet," he growled. "Let the woman alone."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Hartmann's companion had torn away the strap which bound Grace
+to the wall and was leading her to the door. Her husband's efforts to
+detain her, weak and uncertain, were easily frustrated by Hartmann. In a
+few moments the door had swung shut upon the detective, and she was
+being led up the steps to the room above.</p>
+
+<p>Here she fell into a chair, and looking about, saw huddled on a couch in
+the far corner of the room a little, bent old man, who sat with his
+white head bowed upon his breast, his hands tied behind his back.
+Hartmann went over to him and unfastened his bonds. "You will be happier
+in a moment, my friend," he laughed. "This lady is going to set you
+free."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne&mdash;for it was he&mdash;sprang to his feet. "How?" he demanded. "How?"
+As he spoke, he crossed the room, his eyes gleaming, and faced Grace as
+she sat in the chair.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait and see, old man," said Hartmann, roughly. "Stand aside, please."
+He pushed Dufrenne impatiently away. "Now, young woman, where is the
+ivory snuff box?"</p>
+
+<p>Grace raised her head to reply, when the little old Frenchman turned to
+her, pale with anger. "No!" he shouted, starting forward. "You shall not
+do this thing. Would you be a traitor to France!"</p>
+
+<p>Grace looked at him and shuddered. His face was quivering with
+emotion&mdash;his eyes burned with piercing brightness, he seemed about to
+spring at her, in his rage. In a moment Hartmann had turned on him. "Be
+quiet!" he roared. "I want no interference from you. Mayer!" He pointed
+a trembling forefinger at the old Frenchman. "Take this fellow away."</p>
+
+<p>Mayer took Dufrenne by the arm and twisted it cruelly. "No nonsense,
+now!" he growled, thrusting the old man toward the couch upon which he
+had been sitting. "Hold your tongue, or it will be worse for you."
+Dufrenne resisted him as best he could, but his age and feebleness
+rendered him helpless. He sank upon the couch, with tears of anger
+starting to his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Grace dared not look at him. The enormity of the thing she was about to
+do appalled her. Yet there was Richard, her husband; Richard, whom she
+loved with all her soul, in the room below, facing madness, death. The
+love she felt for him overmastered all other considerations. She turned
+to Hartmann with quivering face. "The box is in the room below," she
+cried, in a voice shaking with emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Mon Dieu&mdash;mon Dieu!</i>" she heard Dufrenne gasp, as he started from the
+couch. "You have ruined us all."</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann and Mayer gazed at each other incredulously. "Impossible!" the
+former gasped. "Impossible!" Then he turned to Grace. "Girl, are you
+telling me the truth?"</p>
+
+<p>She nodded, bowing her head upon her hands. She could not trust herself
+to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Where? Where in that room could it be hidden? Tell me!" he shook her
+angrily by the arm. "Haven't we wasted enough time over this thing?"</p>
+
+<p>Still she made no reply. Now that she had told them, a sudden revulsion
+swept over her. She hated herself for what she had done, hated Hartmann,
+hated Monsieur Lefevre for placing her in this cruel situation.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann dragged her roughly to her feet. "If the box is in the room
+below, come with me and find it."</p>
+
+<p>He hurried her toward the staircase. "Come along, Mayer," he called over
+his shoulder. "Bring that fellow with you. It won't be safe to leave
+him." As she descended the steps, Grace heard the other two close behind
+her. The Frenchman staggered along like a man in a daze, offering no
+resistance.</p>
+
+<p>When they burst into the room in which Duvall was confined, they found
+the latter standing beneath the electric lamp, a look of determination
+upon his face. He regarded them steadily, in spite of his reddened and
+burning eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Hartmann paid little attention to him. He was too greatly interested in
+the movements of Grace. "Now," he said, "where is it? You say the snuff
+box is here&mdash;in this room. Find it."</p>
+
+<p>She hesitated, looking at her husband pitifully. What would he think of
+her? Would he, too, regard her as a traitor, a weak and contemptible
+creature, forever barred from love and respect, false to her duty, her
+honor? His face told her nothing. He was regarding her impassively. She
+remembered now that he had said that he would never see her again if she
+disobeyed him. Then she turned away, her mind made up. She would save
+him, come what might. He had told her that the box was hidden in an
+opera hat, in one corner of the room. She glanced about quickly, trying
+to discover its whereabouts in one of the dark corners.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall saw her intention. He took a step forward, and addressed
+Hartmann. "You have forced this girl, through her love for me, to betray
+a great trust. I prefer that, if anyone here is to become a traitor, it
+shall be myself." He thrust his hand into the pocket of his coat, and
+extended a round white object toward the astonished doctor. "Here is the
+snuff box."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne, for the moment left unguarded by Mayer, sprang forward with a
+fierce cry. "No&mdash;no&mdash;no!" he screamed. "You shall not&mdash;you shall not."</p>
+
+<p>"Out of my way!" exclaimed the doctor, brushing the old man aside as
+easily as though the latter had been a child. With eager hands he took
+the box, and going to the light, bent over it. As he saw the pearls, the
+cross, his face lit up with delight. "This is it, Mayer. Just as the
+valet described it." He gave the ring of pearls a swift turn, then
+pressed immediately upon the larger one of the circle and slid the top
+of the ivory cross to one side. Duvall, who was watching him with
+interest, concluded that from some source, probably through Monsieur de
+Grissac's dead servant, Dr. Hartmann had learned thoroughly the secret
+of the box.</p>
+
+<p>With a cry of satisfaction the latter drew out from the tiny recess the
+slip of folded paper, glanced at the row of numbers written upon it,
+then passed it over to Mayer. The latter nodded his head. "Now we are
+all right," he muttered. "This is easily worth a million francs."</p>
+
+<p>"Money doesn't measure its value, my friend," the doctor remarked,
+gravely, as he replaced the slip of paper beneath the cross and put the
+box carefully into his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>During these few moments, Dufrenne had been observing the doctor with
+bulging eyes. Suddenly he turned on the detective. "May the good God
+curse you and your woman for this," he cried, hoarsely, "until the day
+of your death. May He turn all men against you, and make your name a
+despised and dishonored one forever. You have been false to your
+duty&mdash;false to France. You are a traitor, a contemptible dog of a
+traitor, and you deserve to die." His whole body shook with passion as
+he poured the fury of his wrath upon the man before him.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall sank weakly against the packing case behind him. Suffering, lack
+of sleep and food, the burning pain in his eyes and brain, threatened to
+overcome him. "Let me alone," he gasped. "I am so tired, so very tired!"
+He almost fell as he uttered the words and indeed would have done so had
+Grace not gone quickly up to him and passed her arm lovingly about his
+shoulders. Turning to Dufrenne, she regarded him with a look of
+defiance. "He is not guilty!" she cried. "It is I&mdash;I!&mdash;who have been
+false. I made him do it&mdash;I made him do it. Go away, and tell the others
+what you please. I know that my husband has done his best." She fell to
+soothing him, kissing him upon his hot forehead, his burning cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne looked at Dr. Hartmann, who was regarding the scene before him
+with impatience. "Do I understand, monsieur," he asked, in a ghastly
+voice, "that I am free to leave this place?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Out with you. I could hold you for trespass upon my grounds, for
+attempting to break into my house, but I don't want to be bothered with
+you. Go!" He went to the door and held it open. "Mayer," he said, "show
+this fellow the road. And as for you"&mdash;he turned to Duvall and his
+wife&mdash;"get away from here, and from Brussels, as soon as you like. I
+advise you not to stay in the town. I rather think that, through the
+evidence of Seltz, I can make it slightly uncomfortable for you. Tell
+what story you please. I have done you no injury. You came here of your
+own free will&mdash;you could have escaped and you would not. As for the
+light&mdash;" He laughed harshly. "An ordinary arc, focused on your eyes with
+a powerful lens. It would probably have blinded you, in time, and if it
+kept you awake long enough, you would no doubt have gone mad, but so far
+you are not hurt much. I can swear that it is part of my new treatment
+for a disordered mental state. My man here will agree with me. What are
+you going to do about it? How are you going to explain your robbery of
+Seltz in my office, the deception your wife has practised upon me and
+upon the United States Minister? And above all, now that I have the
+secret I desired, I am quite willing to have a cast made of the snuff
+box and return it to you, but I fancy that neither Monsieur de Grissac
+nor my friend Lefevre will want to have the matter made public in the
+courts. You'd better leave here quietly and take the first steamer to
+America. I don't fancy you'll find a very flattering reception awaiting
+you in Paris." He turned to the door. "Come, I'll have your belongings
+put on a cab, and be glad to be rid of you." He paused beside the
+doorway, waiting.</p>
+
+<p>Grace turned to her husband. "Come, Richard," she said. "Let us go."</p>
+
+<p>He made no reply, but followed her blindly. His spirits seemed broken,
+he walked like a man in a heavy sleep.</p>
+
+<p>It was just dawn when, half an hour later, Richard Duvall and his wife
+drove silently through the ghostly streets of Brussels toward the
+railway station. The detective did not speak. He sat silent, plunged in
+a deep stupor. Grace, her heart breaking, held one of his hands, and
+with white face, gazed helplessly out of the window at the city, just
+waking to another day. To all these people the dawn came with some
+measure of hope, of happiness, but to her, and to her husband, now once
+more beginning their honeymoon, the future seemed full of bitterness and
+despair. She shivered in the cold morning air, and the tears she could
+not repress stole unheeded down her cheeks.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was not until they had reached the railway station that Richard
+Duvall roused himself from the stupor in which he had sat ever since he
+and his wife had driven away from Dr. Hartmann's. When their baggage had
+been deposited on the platform, under the care of a solicitous porter,
+and the cabman had been paid and gone his way, Grace asked her husband
+concerning their destination. "Shall we go to Antwerp?" she said,
+listlessly. "We can get a steamer there, or cross to England." She
+awaited his reply without interest. It seemed to matter very little
+where they went, now.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall turned to the waiting porter. "When is the next train for Paris?"
+he asked. The man answered at once, glancing at the clock in the
+waiting-room. "In forty minutes, monsieur. You will have time for rolls
+and coffee."</p>
+
+<p>"Paris!" exclaimed Grace, in much surprise. "Why should we go to Paris,
+dear? I don't care about the things I left there. We can telegraph for
+them. Oh, Richard, I can't go back and face Monsieur Lefevre now." She
+looked eagerly at his face, but its expression told her nothing. "I must
+make my report to the Prefect," he answered. "It is my duty."</p>
+
+<p>Over their simple breakfast he was uncommunicative. "Don't worry, dear,"
+he said, once, when she had plied him with questions, attempted to
+change his decision by arguments. "I cannot afford to run away. Monsieur
+Lefevre has given me a duty to perform, and I must at least tell my
+story. After that, we can go to America, but not now."</p>
+
+<p>She could get no more out of him, and with tears in her eyes, followed
+him to the compartment in the Paris train which the porter had secured
+for them. There were few people traveling at this early hour. They had
+the compartment to themselves. Duvall rolled himself in his overcoat and
+lay down upon one of the seats. "I am very tired, dear," he told her. "I
+have suffered a frightful strain. My eyes hurt so that I can scarcely
+see. I am sick for want of sleep. There is a hard task before me, when I
+get to Paris. I must have a little rest." He turned his face away from
+the light, and lay quiet, breathing heavily.</p>
+
+<p>Grace sat huddled up in a corner of the opposite seat, watching him, a
+great tenderness in her eyes. After all, she thought, he was her
+husband, the man she loved, and if he had appeared to act the part of a
+traitor to his cause, it was only because she, by her weakness, her love
+for him, had forced him to do so. At the last moment he had thought of
+her&mdash;his one thought had been to save her from disgrace and dishonor. He
+had assumed the blame, for he had given up the snuff box of his own free
+will. Had he allowed her to do so, he could have preserved his own name,
+his own honor, clear of all accusation or stain. It made her love him
+doubly, that he had thus stepped into the breach at the last moment and
+taken upon himself the guilt which she knew belonged in reality upon
+her.</p>
+
+<p>As she sat there, conscious only of the flying trees outside the car
+windows, the clicking of the wheels upon the rails, and the low
+breathing of her husband on the seat before her, her mind went forward
+into the future, and the prospect made her shudder. In Paris she knew
+what manner of welcome awaited them. Monsieur Lefevre would turn from
+them both, as he would not turn from the vilest criminal.</p>
+
+<p>Their names would be held up to scorn, in official circles at least. If
+the public ever came to know of the affair, she knew they would have
+reason to fear for their very safety.</p>
+
+<p>As to the results of her act, as to what the secret of the lost snuff
+box was, that made Hartmann declare its value to be priceless, she could
+not even guess. That it must have some diplomatic, some international
+significance, she fully believed, else why should Monsieur Lefevre have
+declared that the honor of France was involved? And if so&mdash;if the
+possession of the secret by Hartmann, and thus by the foreign country,
+whichever one it might be, of which he was probably an agent, did result
+in complications of a vast and terrible nature, involving possibly war,
+or loss of national honor and prestige, how could either she or her
+husband ever again hope to hold up their heads, to find any joy and
+happiness in life?</p>
+
+<p>Of course, there was America, and home, but even there the secret would
+in time become known, and Richard would find that those who had been his
+friends in high places would turn from him, trusting in his honor, his
+integrity, no longer. Even, she realized, if the affair did not become
+known, at home, it would stand forever between them, a black and
+grinning shadow, destroying confidence, happiness, even love itself. She
+had failed him&mdash;failed her husband&mdash;done what he had forbidden her to
+do, and he had sworn to leave her, to turn from her forever, if she
+disobeyed him. Would he do this, she wondered? Or would he understand
+that what she had done, had been for his sake, for the sake of her love
+for him?</p>
+
+<p>Presently she realized that the train was slackening its speed, and the
+houses which began to appear in increasing numbers outside the car
+windows told her that they were approaching a station. She looked at her
+railway folder and then consulted her watch. It was Manbenge, the point
+at which they left Belgium and entered France. The train drew noisily
+into the station, and was at once surrounded by the usual crowd of
+passengers, porters, railway and customs officials, and the like. Grace
+watched them idly, indifferently. Her only concern was that they should
+not wake her husband with their noisy chatter.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she saw a small, white-haired figure approaching the
+compartment door. At first she paid no attention to the man, supposing
+him to be a belated passenger. Then she was struck with a sudden
+familiarity in his appearance. She started back in alarm as she saw that
+it was Dufrenne, and that he was making straight for the compartment in
+which she sat, his face stern and angry. Behind him she observed two
+gendarmes, walking with their characteristic jerky stride.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne had been a mystery to her. Until their meeting in Dr.
+Hartmann's laboratory that morning, she had never seen him. She had
+felt, from his words, that he, too, was of Monsieur Lefevre's staff, a
+member of the secret police, but that he was no friend of Richard's or
+of hers, she very well knew. She drew back further into the dim corner
+of the compartment, hoping that he would not recognize her.</p>
+
+<p>Her hopes, however, were in vain. Dufrenne threw open the door of the
+carriage, which had previously been unlocked by the guard, and followed
+by his men, entered the compartment. "Here is the fellow," he cried,
+angrily, pointing to Duvall. "Arrest him."</p>
+
+<p>Grace sprang forward, and stood between the men and her husband, who
+slept on, unconscious of the noise about him. "No&mdash;no!" she cried, in a
+tense whisper. "Let him alone. You shall not touch him." In her
+desperation she drew from the bosom of her dress a small revolver which
+she had carried ever since she left Paris. "Keep away, I tell you. You
+shall not arrest my husband."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne confronted her with an angry gesture. "You fool!" he cried. "Do
+you dare to disobey this?" He held before her eyes a silver ring, inlaid
+with gold, similar to the one she wore about her own neck. "I am a
+member of the secret police, as you know. This man is a traitor to his
+duty, and for that he shall be punished. Arrest him," he said again to
+his men.</p>
+
+<p>Grace recoiled, and dropped the revolver she held to the floor. In all
+her dread of the future, this was something upon which she had not
+counted. Her husband arrested&mdash;possibly shot, or condemned to spend
+years in some frightful military prison. She thought of Devil's Island,
+where Dreyfus had been confined, and the horror of the situation
+overcame her. Unable to resist longer, she sank upon the seat and burst
+into tears.</p>
+
+<p>The two gendarmes awakened Duvall roughly, and after informing him that
+he was a prisoner, sat grimly down on either side of him. Dufrenne took
+the seat beside Grace. The train had again begun to move&mdash;she realized
+that they were once more flying toward Paris.</p>
+
+<p>At first Duvall, in his stupor of sleep, did not realize what had
+happened, but in a few moments he had grasped the situation. He did not
+seem greatly concerned at his arrest, and Grace, her first paroxysm of
+weeping having passed, looked at him in surprise. How brave he is! she
+thought. Once she caught his eyes, but he made no sign. Apparently he
+was resigned to his fate.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne turned to her presently. "You, madame, are also under arrest,"
+he remarked coldly.</p>
+
+<p>"You have no right to do this thing," she exclaimed. "We have done the
+best we could."</p>
+
+<p>"No!" cried the little old Frenchman, his bent shoulders straightening,
+his eyes flashing until he became a stern and vengeful figure. "No! You
+have not done the best you could. Brave men&mdash;and brave women, die at
+their posts of duty. You are cowards, both of you. Had I been in your
+place, do you think I would have given in&mdash;do you think I would have
+sold the honor of my country! <i>Mon Dieu!</i> It is incredible! I am a
+Frenchman, madame, and I have fought for France. I value my life as
+nothing, where her welfare is concerned. I would have died a thousand
+times, died as Frenchmen die, with '<i>Vive La France</i>,' on my lips,
+before I would have uttered so much as a single word."</p>
+
+<p>She made no reply to this. In his anger, the fragile old man seemed
+inspired with the very spirit of patriotism, his withered cheeks took on
+new color, his sunken eyes a new brightness. She felt ashamed&mdash;not for
+Richard, for he had spoken only when she had forced him to do so, but
+for herself. The guilt was hers. She was glad that she, too, was
+arrested, that she might have a chance to go before Monsieur Lefevre and
+take upon her shoulders the dishonor which she knew belonged there.
+Silent, she shrank back into her corner, not daring to look up.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Dufrenne," she heard Richard saying, quietly, "be so good as
+to remember that it was I, not my wife, who gave the snuff box to
+Hartmann. You have seen fit to place me under arrest. Very well, I will
+tell my story to Monsieur Lefevre and abide by his decision. But
+meanwhile, I beg that you will treat my wife with courtesy and respect.
+She has had a very trying and terrible experience and I do not wonder
+that she is unnerved. You may not know it, monsieur, but we were married
+but five days ago, and this&mdash;" he glanced about the compartment with a
+sad smile&mdash;"this, monsieur, is our honeymoon."</p>
+
+<p>The Frenchman sank back, all his anger swept away. "It is pitiful,
+monsieur, pitiful," he said, quietly. "Yet in what I now do, I am but
+doing my duty." He turned to Grace. "Madame, I feel for you in your
+suffering. You acted through love. Of that I am sure. But there is a
+greater love than that of woman for man&mdash;the love of country. That is
+the only love I understand." He turned away and sat for a long while
+gazing out of the window.</p>
+
+<p>In what seemed to Grace a very short time, they reached Paris, and here
+she and Richard were conducted to a taxicab and soon found themselves at
+the Prefecture.</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne left them, to announce his arrival to Monsieur Lefevre, and she
+and her husband sat in an anteroom, closely guarded, waiting until the
+time should arrive for them to be summoned before the Prefect.</p>
+
+<p>The detective was still silent and preoccupied. He said little, but from
+the caressing way in which he placed his hand upon hers, bidding her
+cheer up, Grace knew that his love for her, at least, was left to her.
+"Oh, Richard," she said, softly, turning her face to his, "I am so
+sorry, so sorry! But I could not let you suffer, dear, for I love you&mdash;I
+love you."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was characteristic of Monsieur Eti&egrave;nne Lefevre, Prefect of Police of
+Paris, that when he had once placed a case in the hands of one of his
+men, he rarely ever interfered in any way with the latter's conduct of
+it. Reports of progress he did not desire, nor encourage. Success was
+the only report that he asked, and by thus throwing his subordinates
+upon their own responsibility, he obtained from them far better results
+than would have been the case had he kept in constant touch with their
+movements.</p>
+
+<p>Hence when he dispatched Richard Duvall, and Monsieur Dufrenne, the
+little curio dealer of the <i>Rue de Richelieu</i>, to London, and the
+former's wife and later on Lablanche to Brussels, he felt that he had
+done all that it was possible to do, to secure the recovery of Monsieur
+de Grissac's stolen snuff box.</p>
+
+<p>He did not, it is true, dismiss the matter from his mind&mdash;it was,
+indeed, of too grave and sinister a character to be treated thus
+lightly, but he had the utmost confidence in Duvall, and believed that
+the latter would without doubt succeed in his quest.</p>
+
+<p>Since Duvall's departure, he had waited anxiously for the detective's
+appearance. He did not expect to hear from him, but felt convinced that
+within the next day or two he would walk into his office with the
+missing snuff box in his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>It was with some dismay, therefore, that he received, on the fourth day,
+a sudden visit from Dufrenne. The latter had been released, the day
+before, by the Brussels police, after a most uncomfortable night in a
+cell, an experience for which he knew he had Hartmann to thank, and in
+desperation had decided to place the condition of affairs before his
+chief.</p>
+
+<p>The latter had heard him in silence, and then followed a long
+conference, with the result that Dufrenne returned to Brussels, bearing
+the mysterious message subsequently given to Grace by Lablanche, to play
+<i>The Rosary</i> upon the phonograph.</p>
+
+<p>Since then, the Prefect had been in a state of profound agitation,
+although he carefully concealed the fact from his subordinates. The
+gravity of the issues at stake tortured him ceaselessly, and to add to
+his discomfort, Monsieur de Grissac arrived from London, determined to
+ascertain what progress, if any, had been made toward the recovery of
+his lost property.</p>
+
+<p>He was bitterly disappointed to find that Lefevre was unable to give him
+the slightest encouragement. The box had not, he believed, passed into
+the hands of their enemies, but beyond that he could say nothing.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the day of the Ambassador's arrival that Dufrenne appeared at
+the Prefecture a second time, his face pale and haggard, his eyes
+bloodshot and sunken from loss of sleep, his whole manner indicating
+that he had lately passed through some terrible experience. De Grissac
+was closeted with the Prefect at the time, but the man's appearance, his
+urgent request that he see Monsieur Lefevre at once, gained him an
+immediate audience.</p>
+
+<p>The Prefect and the Ambassador stood awaiting his entrance, their faces
+tense with anxiety. The expression upon the old man's countenance
+confirmed their worst fears. He staggered into the room, grasping the
+back of a chair to support himself. "He has given it up&mdash;the
+scoundrel&mdash;the traitor; he has given it up, to save himself and his
+wife."</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador turned away with a groan of despair. Lefevre stepped up
+to Dufrenne. "You mean to tell me," he cried, "that Richard Duvall has
+proven false to his duty? I cannot believe it."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne nodded. "He gave it to Hartmann last night. I saw him do it.
+Hartmann had promised to let him go free. They had been torturing him,
+in some way, I do not know how. It was the woman who weakened first. The
+man&mdash;Duvall&mdash;gave up the box to save her from doing so."</p>
+
+<p>"Then she knew where it was?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>The Prefect went over to the window and looked out over the Seine. His
+emotions almost overcame him. The loss of the box&mdash;Duvall's
+faithlessness&mdash;his own failure, all plunged him into the deepest
+despair. "<i>Mon Dieu!</i>" he muttered to himself. "Duvall&mdash;it is
+incredible!"</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he turned. The Ambassador had begun to question Dufrenne. "What
+did this Dr. Hartmann do, when the box was given to him?" he asked in a
+voice trembling with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"He pressed the large pearl, pushed aside the cross, and removed the
+paper that was hidden beneath it. He read the paper. It contained
+nothing but a row of numbers. I saw it as he held it beneath the light."</p>
+
+<p>De Grissac became as white as chalk, and turning to Lefevre, cried out,
+in a broken voice, "It is all over. Nothing can be done now. It is too
+late. <i>Mon Dieu!</i> What will become of France?"</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Duvall?" cried the Prefect, suddenly. "I must see him. He is
+not the man to do such a thing as this. I must talk to him. Do not tell
+me that he has run away."</p>
+
+<p>"No, monsieur. He is outside, he and his wife. I have placed them both
+under arrest."</p>
+
+<p>"Were they attempting to escape?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, monsieur. They were coming to Paris."</p>
+
+<p>"At least," the Prefect remarked, mournfully, "he is not cowardly enough
+for that. Bring him here&mdash;bring them both here at once. I must question
+them."</p>
+
+<p>Dufrenne turned to the door. "In a moment, monsieur, they will be before
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"What can it avail now?" said De Grissac, sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall see. I never condemn a man without a hearing." As he spoke,
+Duvall and Grace came into the room.</p>
+
+<p>The Prefect looked at his young assistant with an expression both grave
+and sad. He had always been very fond of Duvall&mdash;he was fond of him
+still. The whole matter had hurt him very deeply.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Duvall," he said, without further preliminaries, "Monsieur
+Dufrenne tells me that you, after recovering Monsieur de Grissac's snuff
+box from Dr. Hartmann, deliberately returned it to him last night, in
+order to secure your liberty and that of your wife. Is this true?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes." Duvall's voice was calm, even, emotionless. "It is true."</p>
+
+<p>Lefevre recoiled as though he had received a blow. "Can you dare to come
+before me, and tell me such a thing as that?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was my fault, Monsieur Lefevre," cried Grace, going up to him.
+"Richard begged me not to tell&mdash;commanded me not to tell, but they were
+torturing him&mdash;they were driving him mad. Oh, I could not stand it&mdash;I
+could not!"</p>
+
+<p>"You should have considered your duty, madame, not your husband,"
+remarked the Prefect, coldly, then turned to Duvall.</p>
+
+<p>"Young man," he said, "you have done a terrible thing&mdash;perhaps even now,
+you do not realize how terrible a thing. I regret that I did not inform
+you at the time I placed the case in your hands, but the matter is one
+which, at all costs, I wished to have remain a secret. Now it makes
+little difference. Monsieur de Grissac has for many months been carrying
+on with the Foreign Office a correspondence regarding the relations of
+France and England in the matter of Morocco. Many details of action have
+been settled which, in the event of certain eventualities, would
+constitute the joint policy of the two nations. I need hardly say that
+these details and policies are of such a nature as to cause, if known,
+an immediate declaration of war by the third nation involved. This
+correspondence, Monsieur de Grissac, unwilling to trust to the ordinary
+cipher in use for such purposes, carried on in a code of his own; one
+which he regarded as absolutely proof against all attempts at solution.
+That desperate attempts to obtain copies of the correspondence would be
+made he well knew, and in spite of all precautions, our enemies, by
+bribing a subordinate, did, some time ago, manage to secure copies of
+many of the most important letters and documents. Their attempts at
+reading them, however, were fruitless. Without the cipher, and its key,
+they could do nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"How they ultimately learned that the key and the cipher were contained
+in the ivory snuff box, we do not know. Perhaps through No&euml;l, the
+Ambassador's servant, although Monsieur de Grissac is positive that he
+never, under any circumstances, made use of the cipher in the presence
+of a third person. That they did learn the whereabouts of the cipher,
+however, we now realize only too well. When I told you that in the
+missing snuff box lay not only my honor, but the honor of France, I
+indulged in no extravagant statements. It is the solemn truth. Even now,
+by means of the snuff box and key which you have delivered to them, our
+enemies have no doubt read the stolen documents, and are preparing to
+strike while we are as yet unprepared." He strode up and down the room
+in a state of extreme excitement. "As a last desperate chance, I
+attempted to send you a message by means of the phonograph record. I
+hoped you might, in this way, learn the secret of the box, and by
+destroying the key, render it useless. If you hesitated to do this,
+fearing that, should Hartmann discover the key was missing he would
+refuse to liberate you, you are worse than a traitor. You are a
+contemptible coward. Let me tell you, Monsieur Duvall, if I had a son, I
+should rather have struck him dead at my feet, than have had him fail me
+in a crisis like this."</p>
+
+<p>Grace began to weep, hysterically. "It was all my fault," she began. "I
+told them the box was hidden in the room below, against my husband's
+wishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Where were you, then, that you say 'in the room below?'" asked Lefevre
+suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"In the laboratory, on the second floor. My husband was confined in the
+basement. I said I would tell&mdash;for they were killing him. He cried out
+to me&mdash;forbidding me to do so. Then they took me away to the room
+above."</p>
+
+<p>"And left your husband alone, with the snuff box in his possession?"
+demanded the Prefect, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"For how long?"</p>
+
+<p>"About&mdash;about ten minutes," she replied, wondering at his question.</p>
+
+<p>"And you," exclaimed the Prefect, in a voice of fury, turning on Duvall,
+"were left alone in this room, with the snuff box in your possession,
+for ten minutes, at the end of which time you calmly turned it over to
+this fellow Hartmann. <i>Mon Dieu!</i> Why did you not destroy it&mdash;crush it
+under your heel&mdash;anything, to prevent our enemies from obtaining
+possession of it?" He looked at Duvall, his face working convulsively.
+"You&mdash;you are a&mdash;<i>sacr&eacute; bleu!</i>&mdash;I cannot tell you what I think of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur de Grissac," asked Duvall, his face white, "had I destroyed
+the box, or even only the key, could you have read these documents
+yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador gazed at him, puzzled for a moment. "Certainly not,
+monsieur," he replied. "I could no more have solved the cipher than they
+could. It was for that reason that I was forced to carry the key about
+with me. But it would have been infinitely better, had the documents
+never again been read, than to have them read by our enemies."</p>
+
+<p>Without making any reply, Duvall placed his hand in his pocket and drew
+out, between his thumb and forefinger, a tiny white pellet, no larger
+than the head of a match. "You are no doubt acquainted, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he said, coolly, "with your own handwriting."</p>
+
+<p>"My handwriting! Naturally. What of it?" He went toward the detective,
+an eager look in his face. Lefevre, Dufrenne, and Grace also crowded
+about, their expressions showing the interest which Duvall's questions
+had aroused.</p>
+
+<p>The detective began to unroll the little white pellet with the utmost
+deliberation. It presently became a tiny strip of tissue paper, not over
+two and a half inches long, upon which was written a series of numbers.
+"Is that, then, your handwriting, monsieur?" he inquired carelessly, as
+he placed the strip of paper in De Grissac's trembling hand.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i> The key!" fairly shouted the Ambassador, as his eyes fell
+upon the bit of paper. "Monsieur Duvall, what does this mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"It means, monsieur," replied the detective, coolly, "that while I was
+left alone in the room downstairs, I tore off the lower half of your
+key, which luckily, was a sufficient width to enable me to do so, and
+with a fountain pen I had in my pocket, wrote upon this second slip of
+paper a series of numbers taken at random. This series I placed in the
+secret recess in the box. I do not think it will prove of much use to
+our friends in Brussels."</p>
+
+<p>"Duvall!" cried Lefevre, rushing forward with outstretched hands.
+"Forgive me&mdash;forgive me!" He was not quick enough, however, to forestall
+Grace, who with one cry of happiness had flung herself into her
+husband's arms. "Richard!" she cried, and then sank sobbing but happy
+upon his breast.</p>
+
+<p>Monsieur Lefevre seized his assistant by the arm and began to shake his
+hand in a way which almost threatened to dislocate the young man's
+shoulder. "My boy," he cried, laughing and crying at the same time,
+"forgive me&mdash;forgive me. I was hasty. I should have let you speak,
+first. God be praised, everything is well. De Grissac&mdash;think of it&mdash;they
+will puzzle their brains over that cipher for weeks and weeks and they
+will discover nothing&mdash;nothing! Is it not splendid!" He grasped the
+Ambassador's hand and embraced him with ardor. "Magnificent! Superb!"</p>
+
+<p>The Ambassador was no less overjoyed. "Young man," he said, "we owe you
+the deepest apologies. No one could have done better. I thank you from
+the bottom of my heart." Dufrenne also offered his congratulations. "My
+friend," he said, "I have done you a great injustice. I salute you, not
+only as a brave man, but as a very shrewd one. As for me, I fear I am
+only an old fool."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall patted the old man on the shoulder and smiled. "A patriot,
+monsieur, and for that I honor you. I was luckily able to turn the
+tables on these fellows. But one thing you, and all of you, gentlemen,
+should know. Had I not been able to substitute a false key for the real
+one, the latter would never have passed into Hartmann's hands, if I had
+died for it."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, my friend. I was a fool, a dolt, even for one moment to
+doubt it. I ask your pardon, and that of madame, your wife," cried
+Lefevre, seizing Duvall's hands in his. Grace looked proudly at her
+husband, her knowledge of her own weakness forgotten in the triumph that
+he had won.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, monsieur," said Duvall, with a look of happiness in his face
+as he caught his wife's glance, "with your permission, Mrs. Duvall and
+myself will begin once more our interrupted honeymoon."</p>
+
+<p>The Prefect put his arm about the detective's shoulder, and gave him an
+affectionate hug. "My poor children," he cried, smiling at Grace. "In my
+excitement, my happiness, I had completely forgotten that you are only
+just married. And such a honeymoon as you have had. It is indeed
+shameful, and the fault is mine&mdash;mine alone. But I shall make amends, my
+children. You have rendered both me, and France, a great service, and I
+do not forget it. I insist that to-night you shall dine with me. You, De
+Grissac," he exclaimed, turning to the Ambassador, "will, I know, be one
+of the party. And it is not alone for the purpose of dining that I ask
+you, your service to France shall be acknowledged in a more substantial
+way. Monsieur de Grissac and myself will have the honor to present to
+you, Monsieur Duvall, and to your charming bride, some tokens of our
+gratitude and esteem. After that&mdash;go&mdash;enjoy your happiness. You have
+earned it." He glanced at his watch. "Madame, you are fatigued. You need
+rest&mdash;sleep. I insist that you permit me to send you to my house, where
+Madame Lefevre will have the honor to receive you, and make you
+comfortable. You, Duvall, can in the meantime make your arrangements for
+leaving Paris to-night, and also secure your baggage from the <i>pension</i>
+in the <i>Rue Lubeck</i> where it awaits you. I myself will accompany you,
+and render you any assistance in my power; we will then rejoin your wife
+at my house, where Monsieur de Grissac will meet us in time for dinner.
+What do you say?"</p>
+
+<p>Grace clung to her husband's arm. "I'm afraid to leave him, even for a
+minute," she said.</p>
+
+<p>Duvall pressed her hand, and noted her swollen eyes, her white and drawn
+cheeks. "You have had a terrible night, dear," he said, kissing her,
+"and you must have a few hours' rest. Go to Monsieur Lefevre's house,
+and lie down and sleep for a little while. You are so nervous you can
+scarcely stand. I will not be long."</p>
+
+<p>She gave his arm a little squeeze, then turned to the Prefect. "I thank
+you, monsieur, and since my husband thinks it best, I will gladly go to
+your house at once. Good-by, Richard." She accompanied Monsieur Lefevre
+to the door.</p>
+
+<p>Two hours later, Duvall, having made all arrangements for leaving Paris
+for London that night, descended from the Prefect's automobile at the
+latter's house in the <i>Rue de Courcelles</i>. Within an hour they had been
+joined by Monsieur de Grissac and were all seated about Monsieur
+Lefevre's hospitable board. Everyone was in jubilant spirits, and in the
+happiness of the moment all the suffering of the past week was
+forgotten. De Grissac presented to the bride a magnificent diamond
+crescent, and to Duvall a gold cigarette-case of exquisite design and
+workmanship, while Monsieur Lefevre, not to be outdone, placed in
+Grace's hand a rare lace shawl which, he assured her, had been worn by a
+Marquise under the Empire. To Duvall he gave a seal ring, with the arms
+of France engraved upon a setting of jade. "It belonged to my father,"
+he said, simply. "With me it is a talisman; you will never ask any favor
+from me in vain."</p>
+
+<p>When M. Lefevre came at last to say good-by to Duvall and his wife,
+there were tears of real sorrow in his eyes. He had no children of his
+own, and the happiness of his two young friends had been his happiness
+as well. The thought that he might never see them again left him with a
+great sense of loneliness.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, my dear boy," he said, grasping Duvall's hand in both of his,
+as he stood beside the door of the automobile which was to take the
+happy pair to the railway station. "When you settle down upon that
+little farm in your own country, and raise the chickens, and the pigs,
+and, may I also venture to hope"&mdash;he smiled meaningly at Grace&mdash;"the
+children, do not forget your old friend Lefevre."</p>
+
+<p>Duvall pressed his hand, while Grace hid her blushes in the darkness of
+the cab.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall never forget, <i>monsieur</i>, that to you I owe the possession of
+the sweetest and best wife in the world. We shall meet again, I promise
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! I shall hold you to the promise, <i>mon ami</i>. And if you do not
+keep it"&mdash;he pointed his finger impressively at the pair in the cab&mdash;"I
+shall send for you to assist me in the next difficult case which puzzles
+me, and <i>voil&agrave;</i>! The thing is done. You would not <i>dare</i> to fail me,
+should I call upon you for assistance."</p>
+
+<p>He took Grace's hand and kissed it with old time courtliness, then
+slapped Duvall upon the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Go now, my children. If you stay longer I shall be unable to restrain
+my tears."</p>
+
+<p>As the automobile turned the corner below, its occupants saw the old
+gentleman still standing on the sidewalk, gazing after them and waving
+his handkerchief in farewell.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear old Lefevre," said Duvall, as he drew Grace to him and kissed her.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Ivory Snuff Box, by Arnold Fredericks
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ivory Snuff Box, by Arnold Fredericks
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Ivory Snuff Box
+
+Author: Arnold Fredericks
+
+Release Date: August 30, 2009 [EBook #29852]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IVORY SNUFF BOX ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE IVORY SNUFF BOX
+
+                         BY ARNOLD FREDERICKS
+
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP
+PUBLISHERS  NEW YORK
+
+Copyright, 1912, by
+W. J. WATT & COMPANY
+
+_Published October._
+
+
+
+
+THE IVORY SNUFF BOX
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+The last thing that sounded in Richard Duvall's ears as he left the
+office of Monsieur Lefevre, Prefect of Police of Paris, were the
+latter's words, spoken in a voice of mingled confidence and alarm, "The
+fortunes of a nation may depend upon your faithfulness. Go, and God be
+with you." He entered the automobile which was drawn up alongside the
+curb, and accompanied by Vernet, one of the Prefect's assistants, was
+soon threading the torrent of traffic which pours through the _Rue de
+Rivoli_.
+
+The thoughts which lay uppermost in the detective's mind were of Grace,
+his wife; Grace Ellicott, who had become Grace Duvall but little more
+than an hour before. By this time he had expected to be on his way to
+Cherbourg, _en route_ to New York, with Grace by his side. They had
+looked forward so happily to their honeymoon, on shipboard, and now--he
+found himself headed for London on this mysterious expedition, and Grace
+waiting for him in vain at the _pension_. The thought was maddening. He
+swore softly to himself as he looked out at the crowded street.
+
+Monsieur Lefevre had no right to ask so great a sacrifice of him, he
+grumbled. What if he had distinguished himself, made himself the
+Prefect's most valued assistant, during the past six or eight months?
+The matters which had brought him from New York to Paris had all been
+definitely concluded--Grace and he were married--his plans had all been
+made, to return to America, and home. Now at the last moment, it was
+frightfully exasperating to have Monsieur Lefevre insist that matters of
+so grave a nature had occurred, that the honor of his very country was
+at stake, and to call upon him, Duvall, as the one man who could set
+matters right. Of course, it was very flattering, but he wanted, not
+flattery, but Grace, and all the happiness which lay before them. What,
+after all, was this matter, this affair so vague and mysterious, into
+which he had so unexpectedly been thrown? He drew out the instructions
+which the Prefect had hurriedly thrust into his hands, and looked at
+them with eager curiosity.
+
+They covered but one side of a small sheet of paper. "Visit immediately
+number 87, _Rue de Richelieu_," they said. "It is a small curio shop.
+Monsieur Dufrenne, the proprietor, expects you, and will join you at
+once. Proceed without delay to London and report to Monsieur de Grissac,
+the French Ambassador. He has lost an ivory snuff box, which you must
+recover as quickly as possible. You will find money enclosed herewith.
+Monsieur Dufrenne you can trust in all things. God be with
+you.--Lefevre."
+
+It was the first time that Duvall had read the instructions. He had not
+had an opportunity to do so before. As he concluded his examination of
+them, his face hardened, his brow contracted in a frown, and he crushed
+the piece of paper in his hand. Was this some absurd joke that Monsieur
+Lefevre was playing upon him? The idea of separating him from Grace upon
+their wedding day, to send him on an expedition, the object of which was
+to recover a lost snuff box! It seemed preposterous. In his anger he
+muttered an exclamation which attracted the attention of Vernet. He was,
+in fact, on the point of stopping the automobile, and going at once to
+the _pension_ where Grace was waiting for him, her trunks packed for
+their wedding journey. The impassive face of the Frenchman beside him
+relaxed a trifle, as he saw Duvall's agitation. "What is it, Monsieur
+Duvall?" he inquired.
+
+"Do you know anything about this matter that makes it necessary for me
+to go to London?" demanded Duvall.
+
+"Nothing, monsieur, except that your train leaves--" he consulted his
+watch--"in twenty minutes."
+
+Duvall drew out a cigar and lit it, with a gesture of annoyance. "The
+matter does not appear very important," he grumbled.
+
+Vernet permitted a slight smile to cross his usually immobile face. "I
+have been in the service of the Prefect for ten years," he remarked,
+"and I have learned that he wastes very little time upon unimportant
+things." He leaned out and spoke to the chauffeur, and in a moment the
+car halted before a dingy little shop, on the lower floor of an old and
+dilapidated-looking house. "Here is the place of Monsieur Dufrenne," he
+remarked significantly.
+
+Duvall threw open the door of the cab, and entered the dusty and
+cobwebbed doorway. He found himself in a small dimly lighted room, so
+crowded with curios of all sorts that he at first did not perceive the
+little white-haired old man who bent over a jeweler's work bench in one
+corner. The walls were lined with shelves, upon which stood bits of
+ivory and porcelain, miniatures of all sorts, old pieces of silverware,
+bronze and copper, old coins, and rusty antique weapons. About the walls
+stood innumerable pictures, old and cracked, in dilapidated-looking
+frames, while from the ceiling were suspended bits of rusty armor,
+swords, brass censers, Chinese lamps, and innumerable other objects, the
+use of which he could scarcely guess.
+
+All these things he saw, in a queer jumble of impressions, as his eyes
+swept the place. In a moment the little old man in the corner turned,
+peering at him over his steel-rimmed spectacles. "You wish to see me,
+monsieur?" he inquired in a thin, cracked voice.
+
+"Yes. I am Richard Duvall. I come from Monsieur the Prefect of Police."
+
+The man at the workbench, on hearing these words, rose to his
+insignificant height, dropping as he did so the watch over which he had
+been working. He swept his tools into a drawer with a single gesture,
+turned to the wall behind him, drew on a thin gray overcoat and a dark
+slouch hat, and stepped from behind the counter. "I am ready, monsieur,"
+he remarked, without a trace of agitation or excitement. "Let us go."
+
+Duvall turned to the door without further words, and threw it open. The
+old man motioned to him to pass out, and after the detective had done
+so, closed and locked the door carefully and followed him into the cab.
+Duvall observed that he was frail, and uncertain in his steps, and so
+bent from constant labor over his bench, that he gave one almost the
+impression of being hunchbacked. He took his seat beside the detective
+without a word, and in a moment the whole party was being driven rapidly
+toward the _Gare du Nord_.
+
+Duvall could not repress a feeling of admiration for the way in which
+Dufrenne had received him. He had asked no questions, delayed him by no
+preparations, but had merely thrown down his tools, put on his hat, and
+started out. The importance or lack of importance of the matters which
+called him he did not inquire into--it was evidently quite enough, that
+Monsieur Lefevre desired his services. It made the detective feel
+somewhat ashamed of his recent ill nature, yet he could not but remember
+that this was his wedding day, and that in leaving his wife without even
+so much as a farewell word, he had given her good reason for doubting
+his love for her. Of course, he knew, the Prefect had assured him that
+he would explain everything to Grace, but such explanations were not
+likely to appeal very strongly to a girl who had been married but little
+more than an hour. It was, therefore, in a very dissatisfied frame of
+mind that he entered the compartment of the train for Boulogne.
+
+The compartment was a smoking one, and he and Dufrenne had it all to
+themselves. The little old Frenchman drew out a much-stained meerschaum
+pipe and began placidly to smoke it. His manner toward the detective was
+respectful, friendly indeed, yet he made no attempts at conversation,
+and seemed quite satisfied to sit and gaze out of the car window at the
+fields and villages as they swept by. Presently Duvall spoke.
+
+"Monsieur Dufrenne," he began, slowly, "you are no doubt familiar with
+the matter which takes us to London?"
+
+Dufrenne withdrew his gaze from the window and faced about in his seat
+with a nervous little gesture of assent. "I understand that Monsieur de
+Grissac has been robbed of his snuff box," he replied.
+
+"Is that all you know?" Duvall inquired pointedly. "Surely the recovery
+of an article of so little consequence cannot be the real purpose of our
+visit."
+
+The little old man shrugged his shoulders, with an almost imperceptible
+gesture of dissent. "I know nothing of the matter, monsieur," he
+remarked, significantly, "except that my country has called me, and that
+I am here." He spoke the words proudly, as though he considered the fact
+that he had been called upon an honor.
+
+"But surely, you must have some idea, monsieur, of your purpose in being
+here?"
+
+"Yes. That is indeed quite simple. On one occasion I was called upon to
+repair the snuff box of Monsieur de Grissac, the Ambassador. In that way
+I am familiar with its appearance. Now that it is lost, I am requested
+to accompany you, monsieur, in your attempt to recover it, in order that
+I may assist you in identifying it."
+
+"And beyond that, you know nothing?"
+
+"Nothing, monsieur."
+
+Duvall began to chew the end of his cigar in vexation. Of all the absurd
+expeditions, this seemed the most absurd. Presently he turned to
+Dufrenne and again spoke. "In your repairs upon this snuff box, to which
+so great a value is apparently attached, did you observe anything about
+it of a peculiar nature--anything to make its loss a matter of such
+grave importance?"
+
+"Nothing, monsieur. It is a small, round ivory box, with a carved top,
+quite plain and of little value--"
+
+"But the contents? What, perhaps, did Monsieur de Grissac carry within
+it?"
+
+"Snuff, monsieur. It was quite half-full when it came to me, last April.
+Monsieur de Grissac was in Paris at the time. The spring which actuates
+the top had become broken--the box is very old, monsieur--and I was
+required to repair it. That is all I know."
+
+"And you close your shop, and leave Paris without a word, just for a
+thing like that?"
+
+Dufrenne straightened his bent shoulders, and his eyes sparkled. "When
+France calls me, monsieur, I have nothing to do but obey."
+
+His reply seemed almost in the nature of a reproof. Duvall made no
+further comment and relapsed into a brown study. After all, he knew,
+even in his irritation, that Monsieur Lefevre had not sent him upon this
+adventure without some real and very good reason. Yet try as he would,
+he was unable to imagine what this reason could be. Of course, there
+must have been something inside the box, his final conclusion was, else
+why should any one have stolen it? No doubt the Ambassador, Monsieur de
+Grissac, would acquaint him with the truth of the affair. Possibly the
+box may have contained papers of great value--though why one should
+choose such a place for the concealment of valuable papers he could not
+imagine. The whole affair seemed shrouded in mystery, and no amount of
+speculation on his part, apparently, would throw any light upon it. He
+lay back in his seat, dozing, and thinking of Grace and their
+interrupted honeymoon.
+
+At Boulogne they transferred to the boat for Folkstone, and after a
+quiet passage, found themselves on board the train for London. They
+reached Charing Cross early in the evening, and taking a cab, drove at
+once to Monsieur de Grissac's residence in Piccadilly, opposite Green
+Park.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+While Richard Duvall was thus flying toward Boulogne, racking his brains
+in a futile attempt to discover the reasons for his sudden and
+unexpected dispatch to London, Grace, his wife, equally mystified, was
+proceeding in the direction of Brussels.
+
+The reasons for her going to Brussels were no more clear to her than
+were Richard's, to him. At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast which
+had followed her simple marriage to Duvall, she had gone to the
+_pension_ at which she had been living, to await her husband's return.
+She had not then understood the mysterious message which had summoned
+him to the Prefect's office, nor, for that matter, had he, but he had
+assured her that he would return in a short while, and that had been
+enough for her.
+
+Her patient waiting had been finally terminated by the arrival of the
+Prefect himself, who had explained with polite brevity that a matter of
+the gravest importance had made it necessary for him to send Richard at
+once to London.
+
+The girl's grief and alarm had been great--Monsieur Lefevre had at last,
+however, succeeded in convincing her that Richard could not under the
+circumstances have done anything but go. His position as an assistant to
+Lefevre, and more particularly the friendship which existed between
+them, made it imperative for him to come to the Prefect's assistance in
+this crisis.
+
+What the crisis was, Grace did not learn. She had insisted upon
+following Richard, upon being near him, upon assisting him, should
+opportunity offer, and Monsieur Lefevre, seized with a sudden
+inspiration, had dispatched her to Brussels, with the assurance that she
+would not only see her husband very soon, but might be able to render
+both him, and France, a very signal service.
+
+Grace had accepted the mission; her desire to be near Richard was a
+compelling motive, and as a result she found herself flying toward the
+Belgian frontier, on an early afternoon express, with no idea whatever
+of what lay before her, and only a few words, written by Monsieur
+Lefevre upon a page torn from his notebook, to govern her future
+actions.
+
+She luckily was able to find a compartment in one of the first-class
+carriages where she could be alone, and sank back upon the cushioned
+seat, determined to face whatever dangers the future might hold, for the
+sake of her husband.
+
+Her mind traveled, in retrospect, over the events of the past few
+months--the conspiracy against her, by her step-uncle, Count d'Este, by
+which he had so nearly deprived her of the fortune left to her by her
+aunt, and the striking way in which his plans had been upset by Richard
+Duvall. She had loved him at their very first meeting, and now that they
+had become husband and wife, she loved him more than ever. It is small
+wonder that the thought of the way in which he had been suddenly torn
+from her, on the eve of their wedding journey, brought tears to her
+eyes.
+
+Presently she regained her composure and looked at the sheet of paper
+which the Prefect had handed to her. It contained but a few words:
+"Proceed to the Hotel Metropole, Brussels. Take a room in the name of
+Grace Ellicott, and wait further instructions." That was all--no hint of
+how or when she and Richard were to meet, or what had been the cause of
+their separation. Once more the cruelty of the situation brought tears
+to her eyes. While feeling in her handbag for her handkerchief, she drew
+out the small silver ring which the Prefect had handed to her at the
+last moment. "Trust any one," he had said, "who comes to you with such a
+token as this." She examined the ring carefully, but the singular device
+worked in gold upon the silver band, meant nothing to her. At length she
+placed the ring carefully upon her finger, and proceeded to cover it by
+putting on her glove.
+
+For a long time she sat, speculating upon the strange workings of fate,
+which doomed her to be thus speeding alone to Brussels, instead of to
+Cherbourg, _en route_ to America, with Richard by her side. The sight of
+two lovers, who boarded the train at St. Quentin, increased her
+dissatisfaction. They came into the compartment, evidently quite wrapped
+up in each other, and even the presence of a third person did not
+prevent them from holding each other's hands under the cover of a
+friendly magazine, and gazing at each other with longing eyes. Grace was
+quite unable to endure the sight of their happiness--she turned away and
+buried herself in her thoughts.
+
+Presently the adventure-loving side of her nature began to assert
+itself. Richard had been sent on a mission of the greatest
+importance--one involving, Monsieur Lefevre had told her, the honor of
+both his country and himself. And she was to share it--to take part in
+its excitement, its dangers. The thought stirred all her love of the
+mysterious, the unusual. After all, since she had become the wife of a
+man whose profession in life was the detection of crime, should she not
+herself take an interest, an active part in his work, and thereby
+encourage and assist him? The thought made her impatient of all
+delay--she felt herself almost trying to urge the train to quicker
+motion--she was glad when at last they roared into the station at
+Brussels.
+
+Grace had never before been in the Belgian capital, but she summoned a
+cab, and proceeded without difficulty to the Hotel Metropole. Here she
+was assigned to a small suite, and at once began to unpack the steamer
+trunk which was the only baggage she had brought with her. It was after
+four o'clock when she had completed this task, and had removed the
+stains of travel and changed her gown. As she came into the tiny parlor
+which formed the second of the two rooms of the suite, she heard a
+tapping at the door, and upon opening it, discovered one of the hotel
+maids, waiting outside with fresh towels. The girl came in, and busied
+herself setting to rights the toilet articles on the washstand. Grace,
+who was engaged in listlessly watching the traffic in the square
+outside, paid no attention to her. Presently she heard the girl come in
+from the bedroom, and inquire if there was anything else that she could
+do for her. "Nothing," she replied, without turning. The maid, however,
+did not leave the room, but stood near by, observing her. Grace faced
+about. "That is all," she said sharply.
+
+"I have something to say to you, mademoiselle," the girl whispered in a
+low tone, as she took a step forward. "A message from Monsieur Lefevre."
+
+"Monsieur Lefevre? You?"
+
+"Yes, mademoiselle, I am in his confidence. I know the purpose of your
+visit here, and I come to give you further instructions." She spoke
+quietly, impressively, and Grace was convinced that she was what she
+represented herself to be. Still, she felt the necessity of caution.
+"Please explain," she remarked, without further committing herself.
+
+The girl approached still closer, and reaching into the bosom of her
+dress, drew out a ring similar to the one which the Prefect had given
+Grace. It was attached to a bit of ribbon. She glanced at the ring on
+Grace's finger and smiled. "May I suggest, mademoiselle," she said,
+"that you place the ring you are wearing where it will be less
+conspicuous?"
+
+Grace colored slightly at the criticism which the woman's words implied,
+but drew the ring from her finger and placed it in her purse. "What have
+you to say to me?" she inquired.
+
+"This, mademoiselle. Certain persons, whose identity is not known to the
+police, have committed a theft in London--in fact, have stolen a
+valuable article from the French Ambassador there, Monsieur de Grissac.
+This theft was committed this morning."
+
+"What did they steal?" asked Grace.
+
+"Monsieur de Grissac's ivory snuff box, mademoiselle."
+
+"His snuff box? You don't mean to say that they are making all this fuss
+over a trifling thing like a snuff box?"
+
+"Yes, mademoiselle. Such is, indeed, the case."
+
+"But why?"
+
+"That I cannot tell. I do not know. It is sufficient to me that Monsieur
+Lefevre wishes it recovered. In our service, mademoiselle, we are not
+supposed to ask questions, but to obey orders."
+
+Grace repressed her annoyance as best she could. "I suppose it must be
+very valuable," she remarked, lamely.
+
+"Undoubtedly. Very valuable, as you say. Now that it is stolen, it must
+be recovered without delay. Monsieur Lefevre informs us here in Brussels
+that others have gone to London to recover it. Should they fail to do
+so--we believe that the persons who have committed the theft will come
+here."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because they are acting, we believe, in the interests of a certain Dr.
+Hartmann, who is a resident of Brussels."
+
+"Why should this Dr. Hartmann want the box?" asked Grace, somewhat
+mystified.
+
+"That I am unable to tell you. He is an enemy of my country. He has many
+agents, and is a man of great power."
+
+"But why don't you arrest him?"
+
+"Alas, mademoiselle, you do not understand. This Dr. Hartmann is a
+physician of great prominence. His cures of nervous and mental disorders
+have made him famous throughout Europe. He has in Brussels--just outside
+the city, a sanatorium, where he receives and treats his patients. He is
+looked up to by all. His work as an enemy of France is quite secret,
+known to but a few. Even we know very little about it."
+
+"Then how do you know that he had anything to do with the matter of this
+snuff box?"
+
+"We do not know it--we only surmise. There is a reason, which I am not
+permitted at present to tell you, which causes Monsieur Lefevre to
+believe that Dr. Hartmann had a hand in this matter. It is for that
+reason, indeed, that he has sent you here."
+
+"What can I do?"
+
+"I will tell you. For a long time we have tried to get one of our own
+agents into Dr. Hartmann's house, but without success. He is very
+shrewd--very cautious. All his servants are countrymen of his, upon whom
+he knows he can depend. His patients are people of wealth, position,
+standing, who, he knows, could not possibly be agents of the French
+police. He will take no others, and always insists upon the strictest
+references. It is for these reasons that we have failed. Now an
+opportunity presents itself for you, mademoiselle, to accomplish that
+which the police cannot accomplish. You are an American girl, of
+prominent family, of wealth, of position. I am informed that your aunt,
+by her second marriage, was the Countess d'Este. Should you apply to Dr.
+Hartmann for treatment, you will have no difficulty in obtaining
+admission, for he could not, by any chance, think that Miss Grace
+Ellicott, of New York, was in the employ of the French secret police.
+You observe, mademoiselle, Monsieur the Prefect's object in sending you
+to Brussels?"
+
+Grace nodded. She was beginning to feel a keen interest in the matter.
+"But I am not ill," she said, with a laugh. "How can I ask Dr. Hartmann
+to treat me?"
+
+"We have thought of that. The matter has been under consideration ever
+since we were advised, early this afternoon, that you were coming. We
+have thought it best that you represent yourself to the doctor as a
+somnambulist."
+
+"A sleep walker?"
+
+"Precisely. It is a form of nervous trouble which is by no means
+infrequent. We are informed that Dr. Hartmann has treated several such
+cases in the past. There are not symptoms, except a state of nervousness
+on the part of the patient which in your case it is probable the
+excitement of the enterprise will supply, and, of course, the tendency
+to walking in the sleep. This latter you must assume."
+
+"Assume?"
+
+"Yes. You must pretend to be a somnambulist. You must get up, each
+night, at some hour, and wander about the house--pretending to be
+oblivious of all about you. You are not normally conscious. You are in a
+walking dream. Your eyes are fixed ahead--seeing no one. It will not be
+difficult for you to pretend all this--and naturally, by wandering about
+in this way, you may--we hope you will--have excellent opportunities to
+observe what goes on within the doctor's walls."
+
+"Is that all I am to do--just watch?"
+
+"I think not. If we are unable, by other means, to prevent the stolen
+box from being delivered to Dr. Hartmann, it must be recovered from him,
+at any cost--at any cost whatever--" the woman repeated, significantly.
+"Even life itself cannot be spared, in this case. The box _must be
+recovered_, no matter what the price we pay--so we are informed by
+Monsieur Lefevre."
+
+"Then if it should pass into his possession, I may have to steal it? Is
+that what you mean?"
+
+"Undoubtedly, and at the very first opportunity." The girl rose,
+gathered up the soiled towels which she had taken from the bedroom, and
+went toward the door. "That is all, mademoiselle, except that you will
+communicate to us any news of importance by means of a young man who
+goes to the house each morning and evening to deliver bread. He comes in
+a small wagon, and you will no doubt be able to speak with him, as he
+enters or leaves the grounds. He is quite safe, and can be trusted.
+Address your communications to him verbally--no letters, understand;
+they are always dangerous. And now, let me suggest that you arrange to
+see Dr. Hartmann at once."
+
+"But--he may require reference--credentials."
+
+"We have thought of that, and have prepared the way. One of our men has
+ascertained that the United States Minister here is acquainted with
+you--that your family is known to him. Your aunt, you will remember, was
+quite prominent in society, in New York, at the time she married
+Monsieur the Count d'Este. Whether the Minister is acquainted with you
+personally, we have not been able to learn, but that he knows who you
+are, is certain."
+
+"Then I had best call upon him, and arrange for letters to Dr.
+Hartmann."
+
+"That is the best course. His house is near by. Take a cab at once, go
+to him, and state your errand. You will have no difficulty, I feel
+sure." She noiselessly opened the door, and in a moment was gone,
+leaving Grace in a state of wonder. She did not waste much time,
+however, in speculating upon the curious affair in which she found
+herself involved, but putting on her hat, started off at once in search
+of the American Minister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+When Richard Duvall and his companion entered the house of the French
+Ambassador in London, it was evident that their arrival was expected.
+The detective had no more than given his name to the butler who threw
+open the door, when the latter, with a bow of recognition, conducted
+them to a small reception-room to the right of the entrance, and
+informed them that Monsieur de Grissac would see them at once.
+
+They did not have long to wait. The Ambassador, a thin, spare,
+nervous-looking man of sixty, with white hair and a gray-white mustache,
+came hurriedly into the room after but a few moments had elapsed, and
+greeting them excitedly, bade them be seated. He himself remained
+standing, his back to the fireplace, twirling his eyeglasses at the end
+of their black silk ribbon, and observing his visitors keenly.
+
+"Monsieur Lefevre had informed me of your coming, gentlemen," he
+presently burst out. "We have no time to lose."
+
+"Let us have the details of the affair, monsieur," Duvall remarked,
+seating himself comfortably in his chair. "So far we are completely in
+the dark."
+
+"You know, do you not, that a valuable article, a small snuff box, to be
+exact--has been stolen from me?"
+
+"Yes. Of that I have been informed," the detective remarked, dryly. "I
+am curious to learn why the loss of an article of so trivial a nature
+should be regarded with such seriousness."
+
+The Ambassador's eyes snapped--he seemed almost to resent the
+detective's attitude. "It should be sufficient, monsieur, I think, that
+it is so regarded. The task before us is to recover it--not discuss the
+reasons for doing so."
+
+"I disagree with you, monsieur. If the real value of the stolen article
+is kept from me, how can I draw any conclusions as to the probable
+object of its theft? Was it intrinsically valuable? Did it contain
+anything of value? In short, why should any one have taken the trouble
+to steal it? Tell me that, and I can act intelligently. Otherwise, I
+shall be only groping about in the dark."
+
+"I do not think so, monsieur." The Ambassador bent upon Duvall a
+searching glance. "The fact that the box is gone should be sufficient.
+All that I ask is that you recover it. You must trace its disappearance
+from the material facts of the case. Conjecture will avail us nothing."
+
+"Is the box then of no value?"
+
+"I have not said so. As a matter of fact, its value is great. It has
+been an heirloom in my family for many years. At one time it belonged to
+Cardinal Mazarin."
+
+"You think, then, that its intrinsic value alone might have prompted the
+theft?"
+
+"I think so--indeed, I very greatly hope so."
+
+"Why?"
+
+The Ambassador recovered himself with a start. Evidently he had said
+more than he intended. It was some time before he answered the question
+and then he did so lamely. "Its theft by someone interested in its value
+as a curiosity would enable me to recover it most readily--by the
+payment, of course, of a sum of money."
+
+"True. But I assume, from what you say, that there might be other
+reasons; that it might have been taken by those who suspected that it
+had another value?"
+
+For a moment Monsieur de Grissac appeared confused. Then he waved his
+hand impatiently. "There are those," he said, "who seek to injure me.
+They know that I prized this thing highly. Their motive may have
+been--not money, but revenge. In that case, its recovery will be vastly
+more difficult."
+
+Duvall saw that Monsieur de Grissac was not being frank with him, and
+for a moment he was conscious of a deep sense of annoyance. Monsieur
+Lefevre had, heretofore, invariably taken him into his confidence. He
+controlled his feelings, however, and appeared to be satisfied with the
+Ambassador's explanations. "What did the box contain, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he asked, pleasantly.
+
+"A quantity of snuff, monsieur."
+
+"Nothing else?"
+
+"Nothing."
+
+"Oh! And you, monsieur, are in the habit of using snuff?"
+
+"Yes. It is the only form in which I use tobacco. Old-fashioned,
+perhaps, but I belong to the older generation." He straightened himself
+up suddenly. "Let us proceed, gentlemen. I fear we are wasting valuable
+time."
+
+Duvall nodded. "Permit me to ask you a few more questions."
+
+"I am at your service, monsieur."
+
+"When did you last see the box?"
+
+"This morning, at nine o'clock. I always carry it in the right-hand
+pocket of my waistcoat. To insure its safety, I had it attached to a
+long gold chain, which was securely fastened to the inside of the
+pocket. I rose this morning somewhat late, having attended a banquet
+last night. After having my coffee and rolls in my bedroom, I went to my
+dressing-room to be shaved. As I did so, I paused for a moment, drew the
+snuff box from the pocket of my white evening waistcoat, which my valet
+had hung in a closet the night before, and took a pinch of snuff from
+it. I then replaced it in the pocket and entered the dressing-room
+adjoining, where Noel, my man, was waiting for me. He proceeded to shave
+me as usual, and I began to dress. Upon going to the closet in my
+bedroom to remove the box, and fasten it by means of the chain to the
+clasp in the pocket of the waistcoat I had just put on, I was amazed to
+find it gone. I at once summoned Noel--"
+
+"Summoned him?" interrupted the detective. "Was he not with you in the
+room?"
+
+"No. A few moments before--as soon, in fact, as I had completed
+dressing, he left the apartment to give some instructions to my
+chauffeur."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I at once rushed out into the hall, calling for Noel."
+
+"You believed, then, that he had taken the box?"
+
+"I could believe nothing else. No one but he had been in my rooms."
+
+"Oh! I see. And you questioned him?"
+
+"Yes. On reaching the hall I met one of the maids ascending the
+stairway. I called to her, asking if she had seen Noel. She had not. She
+had been in the servants' hall--talking with the chauffeur--Noel had not
+been there."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I rushed to his room, which is on the floor above, thinking that, if he
+had taken the box, and proposed to deny the fact, he would have gone
+there to secrete it."
+
+"Would he not have been more likely to leave the house immediately since
+he knew you would discover your loss at once?"
+
+"No. He would realize that to flee would be to admit his guilt. He could
+not have gone more than a few hundred feet. Capture would have been
+inevitable."
+
+"Did you find the man in the room?"
+
+"He was just leaving it as I came up."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I ordered him back into the room, and questioned him sharply. He denied
+all knowledge of the matter, and appeared to be deeply hurt at my
+suspicions."
+
+"Did you believe him?"
+
+"I do not know. The matter is incomprehensible. Noel has
+been in my service for eight years. I supposed him absolutely
+incorruptible--absolutely honest. He also insists that after I left the
+bedroom, and came into the dressing-room to be shaved, he did not leave
+me, nor again enter the bedroom; in which case, he could not have
+committed the theft."
+
+"Is this true?"
+
+"So far as I can remember, it is." He spoke in a slightly hesitating
+way, and Duvall at once noticed it. "You are, then, not absolutely
+sure?" he asked.
+
+"I feel confident that Noel did not leave me, nor enter the bedroom. If
+I hesitated for a moment, it arose from the fact that on one or two
+occasions I have fallen asleep while being shaved, but this morning I am
+quite sure that I did not do so."
+
+"Yet you were up late last night, and awoke feeling sleepy and tired."
+
+"Yes." The Ambassador nodded. "That is true."
+
+"Is there any other door to the bedroom?"
+
+"None, except that which opens into my bath. The bathroom has no
+windows. It is an inside room."
+
+"And the bedroom?"
+
+"It has two windows, facing upon the adjoining property. There is quite
+thirty feet of space between the two buildings and the windows are at
+least twenty-five feet from the ground."
+
+"What room is above?"
+
+"A guest's chamber, unused and locked."
+
+Duvall rose and began to stride up and down the room, chewing viciously
+upon his unlighted cigar. "After you finished questioning the man, what
+did you do then?"
+
+"I searched his room thoroughly, and made him turn out the contents of
+his pockets, his trunk and bureau drawers."
+
+"And you found--?"
+
+"Nothing. That was before noon to-day. Since then, I have kept the man
+locked in his room, awaiting your coming. One of the other servants has
+remained on guard outside his door ever since."
+
+"You did not, then, notify the police?"
+
+"No. The matter is one that, for reasons of my own, I do not wish to
+become public."
+
+"Has anything been heard from your prisoner since this morning?"
+
+"Yes. He asked for pen and ink about one o'clock this afternoon. I went
+up to see him, to find out why he wanted them. He seemed deeply
+affected, was almost in tears, and apparently afraid to meet my gaze. He
+said he wished to write a note, breaking an engagement he had had for
+this afternoon. He usually had Wednesday afternoons off. I permitted him
+to write the letter."
+
+Duvall began to show signs of deep interest on hearing this. "Where is
+it?" he exclaimed.
+
+"What, monsieur?" The Ambassador evidently did not follow him.
+
+"The letter."
+
+"I sent it, of course."
+
+"But you read it first?"
+
+"Yes. It was addressed to a man named Seltz, Oscar Seltz, if I recollect
+correctly, at a barber shop in Piccadilly Circus, which, as you know, is
+close by. This fellow Seltz was a friend of Noel's. I have several times
+heard him speak of him. They were accustomed to spend their afternoons
+off together, I understand."
+
+"And the note?" asked Duvall, impatiently. "What did it say?"
+
+"Merely that Noel was unable to keep his appointment for that afternoon,
+and did not expect to see his friend again before his departure. Seltz
+must have been planning some trip. The letter, as I remember, was quite
+cool, almost unfriendly in its tone."
+
+Duvall glanced at his watch. "This was about one o'clock you say?"
+
+"Yes. The matter has no significance. We are wasting our time discussing
+it."
+
+"On the contrary, monsieur, I fear it may have had the greatest
+significance. That letter should never have been delivered. Even now, it
+may be too late to prevent the consequences. Be so good, monsieur, as to
+conduct me to this man Noel's room at once." He turned to Dufrenne. "You
+will accompany us, of course, Monsieur Dufrenne," he said, then followed
+the Ambassador toward the hall.
+
+In a few moments they reached the third floor of the house, and passed
+along a short hall which gave entrance to a rear extension of the
+building, in which the servants' quarters were located. At the entrance
+of the hall, a maid was seated upon a stool, reading a book. She rose as
+the others approached, and stood respectfully aside.
+
+"Has anything been heard from Noel?" the Ambassador asked. "Has he asked
+for anything?"
+
+"Nothing, monsieur. He has been quiet ever since six o'clock, when I
+took him his supper."
+
+"What was he doing when you entered?"
+
+"Writing, monsieur. He was sitting at the table, with a pen in his hand,
+and he looked up and told me to put the tray on the trunk. 'I shall ask
+you to take this letter to Monsieur de Grissac as soon as I have
+finished it,' he said. Since then I have heard nothing from him."
+
+Duvall had preceded the Ambassador and Dufrenne to the door at the end
+of the short hall, and stood listening intently. In a moment, De Grissac
+came up, and, unlocking the door, threw it open. The room was dimly
+illuminated by a single candle, which smoked and guttered in its socket,
+apparently nearly burned out. Nothing was at first to be seen of the
+valet. Duvall stepped forward, then turned quickly and spoke. "Shut the
+door, please," he said in a tense voice.
+
+Dufrenne did so, while the Ambassador strode forward and followed
+Duvall's gaze with a look of horror. On the floor beside the bed, and to
+the far side of the room from the door, lay the body of the unfortunate
+valet, his face, ghastly pale, turned toward the ceiling. But it was
+neither the sight of the man lying there, apparently dead, nor the
+agonized expression of his face, which caused both the Ambassador and
+Duvall to start back with exclamations of surprise. Across the man's
+lips was a great, dull-red blotch, which at first appeared to be a clot
+of blood, but which seemed, from its circular form and regular contour,
+more like a huge seal. And seal it was. Duvall, dropping on one knee
+beside the body, felt for the man's heart, at the same time looking
+closely at the mark upon his lips. He was quite dead, and had apparently
+been so for an hour or two. The blot upon his face was a great lump of
+red sealing wax, tightly binding together his lips, and upon it was the
+coarse imprint of a man's forefingers.
+
+The Ambassador shrank back with a cry, as his eyes fell upon the ghastly
+sight. Dufrenne gazed at the dead man impassively. Duvall, springing to
+his feet, went at once to the window at the rear of the room, which
+stood partly open, and raising it to its full extent, looked out. The
+others heard him give utterance to a low whistle, as he drew back into
+the room.
+
+"No one could have entered the room," cried the Ambassador, in a
+frightened voice. "It is thirty-five feet or more to the ground."
+
+Duvall motioned to the window. "Look out, monsieur," he remarked,
+quietly.
+
+De Grissac did so, then uttered a sudden cry. From the window to the
+garden below stretched a long slender wooden ladder. "It belongs to the
+men who have been repairing the rain spouting," he exclaimed. "They
+leave it in the garden, at night. I knew there was no way in which Noel
+could get out."
+
+"But clearly a way, monsieur, by which others could get in," said
+Duvall, quietly, as he began a minute examination of the room.
+
+"But the snuff box--do you think it has been taken away?"
+
+"Undoubtedly, monsieur. I suspected as much, when you showed me the
+man's letter. Your servant, I have no doubt, took the box while shaving
+you this morning. You doubtless dozed off, thus giving him the
+opportunity. He did not know that you had taken snuff from the box this
+morning shortly after arising, and imagined, no doubt, that you would
+suppose you had lost it some time the night before. This would relieve
+him of any suspicion. He hurried off to his room to secrete the box,
+meaning to deliver it to this friend of his, Oscar Seltz, during the
+afternoon. His arraignment by you, his subsequent imprisonment, no doubt
+frightened him and filled him with remorse--hence his rather unfriendly
+letter to Seltz. He had repented of his bargain, and was doubtless
+engaged in preparing a confession, telling you of his crime, and the
+reasons therefor, when the murderer entered the room.
+
+"The latter, who probably was this man Seltz, must have become alarmed
+by the tone of Noel's letter. He was, it seems clear, planning some trip
+away from London, upon which he was about to leave. He meant to take the
+snuff box with him. Upon receiving Noel's letter he determined to see
+him and demand the box, if he found the latter had secured it. No doubt
+he made inquiries from some of the servants, on calling to see Noel, and
+was informed that he was confined to his room. He then pretended to
+leave, but in reality, ascended to the room by means of the ladder he
+found in the garden, while the servants were at dinner. It was a
+desperate chance, but he took it. Upon arriving in the room, he found
+Noel engaged in preparing his confession, insisted upon reading it, then
+realizing that his confederate was about to play him false, killed him,
+after gaining possession of the box, and departed."
+
+The Ambassador uttered a groan. "My God," he moaned, "I am lost!"
+
+Dufrenne, who meanwhile had been making a careful examination of the
+dead valet's body, rose with a mystified expression upon his face.
+"There are no wounds upon the body at all, Monsieur Duvall," he said.
+"How can you account for this man's death?"
+
+Duvall stooped, and repeated the examination which his companion had
+just made. "You are right," he said. "The case is a most mysterious
+one."
+
+"At least we can identify the murderer by the finger print upon the
+seal," De Grissac remarked, eagerly.
+
+"I'm afraid not. This man Seltz cannot be quite a fool. Look!" He held
+up the forefinger of the dead man's right hand, upon which was a dull
+red burn, with bits of the red sealing wax about the nail. "He wasn't
+taking any chances." He let the already stiffening arm fall, and
+continued his examination of the body. "The method by which the man was
+killed," he remarked slowly, "is not yet clear to me. Certain finger
+prints on the throat indicate that he might have been strangled, but
+they are hardly deep or extensive enough for that. I fancy they would
+have resulted in temporary unconsciousness only. No--there is another
+reason--although what it is--" He paused as his eyes lit upon a thin
+shining object on the floor beside the table. "Oh, this may tell us
+something." He picked up the thing, which the others saw at once to be a
+large scarf pin, and examined it carefully.
+
+"Did this belong to your servant, Monsieur de Grissac," he asked,
+holding the pin up to the light.
+
+"Yes." The Ambassador glanced at the pin carelessly. "It was one of my
+own that I had given him, some months ago."
+
+Duvall laid the scarf pin carefully upon the table, then went to the
+body on the floor, turned it over and made a careful examination of the
+back of the neck. He held the candle close, pushing aside the man's thin
+sandy hair. Presently he rose and placed the candle on the table beside
+the pin. "This was what your servant was killed with, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he said, as he indicated the scarf pin with his finger. "It
+was thrust violently into the spine, at the base of the brain. Only a
+tiny blood spot remains to tell the tale. This fellow Seltz is a shrewd
+customer."
+
+"We do not even know that it was he who committed the crime. There is no
+real evidence against anyone. The snuff box may still be here. I insist
+that you make a thorough search."
+
+"It would be useless, monsieur," Duvall remarked with a faint smile.
+"The box must have been on the table when the murderer entered the
+room."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because otherwise he would have searched for it, and you would have
+found everything in disorder. Believe me, monsieur, your servant had
+repented of his theft, and was about to return the box to you--it was
+that which caused his death. The seal upon his lips is a gruesome
+joke--silence--his lips are sealed--he can tell nothing."
+
+"Seltz must be arrested at once," the Ambassador cried, in a rage.
+
+"So far, monsieur, there is not the slightest evidence against him.
+Further, it is my opinion that he will leave London at once. Tell me the
+name of the shop in Piccadilly Circus where he was employed, and we will
+lose no further time in getting on his trail."
+
+The Ambassador was not entirely certain of the location of the shop. He
+had never visited it. The name, he remembered, was given in the note as
+Perrier. The note had been delivered by one of the servants; he could
+tell where, and to whom he had delivered it.
+
+Duvall recommended to the Ambassador that he report the murder to the
+police at once, but requested that no mention be made of the presence of
+himself and Monsieur Dufrenne. "We should be held as witnesses," he
+cautioned Monsieur de Grissac, "and that would seriously interfere with
+our plans. Let us interview the servant who took the letter at once."
+
+The latter, a groom, was soon disposed of. He gave the number and
+location of the barber shop in Piccadilly Circus, a short distance away,
+and reported that he had handed the message to a dark, smooth-shaven man
+at the second chair. He did not know Seltz, but the proprietor had
+pointed him out in response to his inquiries. His description of the man
+was vague and unsatisfactory; he was unable to give any further
+information on the subject. Investigations as to anyone having made
+inquiries at the servants' entrance during the evening, regarding Noel,
+elicited the information that a heavily built, dark man, smooth-shaven,
+had called about half-past seven, and upon being informed that the valet
+was confined to his room and could not be seen, had disappeared. No one
+had taken any particular notice of his coming or going.
+
+When the party had once more assembled in the reception-room, Duvall
+turned to Monsieur de Grissac. "There is nothing more to be accomplished
+here, monsieur," he remarked, quietly. "We will get after this fellow
+Seltz at once, and I trust that before long the missing snuff box will
+be returned to you."
+
+The Ambassador shook hands with his guests, in a state of extreme
+agitation. "Lose no time," he urged. "You must recover the box before
+the thief has an opportunity to turn it over to those who are back of
+him, else it will be too late. I shall pray for your success." He stood
+at the door as his guests departed, shaking as though with a palsy. "It
+is a matter of greater moment than life itself. I trust you will not
+fail."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+Richard Duvall, accompanied by the silent little curio dealer, left the
+home of the French Ambassador and walked rapidly to the barber shop of
+Alphonse Perrier in Piccadilly Circus. They found the place without
+difficulty, a large and evidently prosperous establishment, located on
+the ground floor of a building, the upper rooms of which were devoted to
+business offices. A large plate glass window in front bore the sign,
+"Alphonse Perrier, Tonsorial Parlors."
+
+The detective and his companion walked slowly past the brightly lighted
+window, their eyes taking in the details of the interior of the place.
+It was now close to ten o'clock, but the street was filled with
+pedestrians, and there were still one or two customers in the shop. At
+the first chair toward the door stood a large pasty-faced man, with a
+mop of bushy black hair, who was engaged in trimming a young man's
+mustache. The second chair was occupied by a man who was being shaved.
+The fellow who was shaving him answered in a general way to the
+descriptions of Seltz given by the Ambassador's servants. The third
+chair was unoccupied, and the man in charge of it, as well as those at
+the remaining two chairs, were engaged in putting away their razors and
+brushes, preparatory to leaving. It was evident that the closing hour
+was near at hand.
+
+Duvall turned to his companion, "Monsieur Dufrenne," he said, "will you
+enter at once and take the third chair? Keep your eyes and ears open,
+and see what you can learn. I will wait here in the shadow of the next
+doorway. Our man is evidently inside. He will soon be leaving the shop.
+If he does so, before you do, I shall follow him. In that event, return
+to Monsieur de Grissac's house and wait there for word from me."
+
+Dufrenne felt his stubbly beard. "It is fortunate, monsieur, that I have
+not been shaved since Monday," he said, as he entered the shop.
+
+The man in charge of the third chair looked at him with a sulky
+expression as he took his seat. His companions grinned. Evidently he had
+not expected another customer before the closing hour. He began to shave
+the little old Frenchman with careless haste. The latter lay in his
+chair, with half-closed eyes, pretending to doze. In reality he was
+watching every movement of the man next to him.
+
+The customer who occupied the second chair was a small, thin man, with
+sandy hair and a bony face. His eyes, rather prominent, under sparse red
+eyebrows, were closed as though in sleep. He was not paying the
+slightest attention to his surroundings, taking no notice whatever of
+Seltz, who was going over his face in a stolid and methodical way. There
+seemed nothing about either of them to attract attention--and Dufrenne
+began to wonder whether they might not after all be upon a false scent.
+The man Seltz showed neither haste nor nervousness in his movements--if
+he was in a hurry to finish his work for the evening, and leave the
+place, he certainly did not show it.
+
+After a time, Dufrenne observed that the thin man in the chair next to
+him had opened his eyes, and was feeling his jaw with much satisfaction.
+"A very good shave, my good fellow," he said, in excellent English,
+without a trace of any foreign accent. "What powder was that you used,
+may I ask?"
+
+Dufrenne, who was observing Seltz carelessly, saw a sudden change come
+over him. His eyes lit up with interest, and a slight flush overspread
+his face. There seemed nothing in so simple a question to arouse him in
+this way, and Dufrenne watched him carefully, his senses keenly alert
+for anything of interest. To his disappointment, Seltz's answer was of
+the most commonplace character. "It is a special kind, which Monsieur
+Perrier has made for him, after his own formula. 'Poudre Perrier,' it is
+called." He turned to the case behind him, opened a drawer and brought
+forth a round cardboard box. "Eightpence is the price. Would you like to
+try a box?" He extended the package toward his customer, who had risen
+and was adjusting his scarf at the mirror.
+
+The man turned and glanced carelessly at the box. "Oh, you might wrap it
+up. I shave myself, occasionally, when I'm traveling. Eightpence, you
+say?"
+
+"Yes, sir." Seltz turned to the case and began to do up the package in a
+piece of brown paper. In a few moments he turned and handed it to his
+customer, who had drawn on his coat, and was preparing to leave the
+place. Dufrenne saw him put his hand into his pocket and draw out some
+money, which he handed to Seltz. The latter nodded gravely and placed it
+in his pocket. The thin-faced man did the same with the package, then
+left the shop. There was nothing in the least suspicious about the whole
+transaction, and the little Frenchman contented himself with observing
+Seltz as he put away his brushes and prepared to stop work for the day.
+Once he saw the man draw something from his pocket and glance hurriedly
+at it, but his back was toward the chair in which Dufrenne sat, and he
+could not see what it was. A sense of uneasiness filled him, however, as
+the man who was shaving him drew away the sheet from about his shoulders
+and stepped back to allow him to rise.
+
+He made his way to the street as quickly as possible. Seltz was still
+occupied in putting away his shaving implements.
+
+On reaching the pavement, Dufrenne turned and walked rapidly toward
+Charing Cross. He did not wish to join Duvall in sight of those within.
+He had taken but a few paces when the latter caught up to him. "What did
+you learn?" the detective asked, quickly.
+
+Dufrenne related in a few words what had occurred in the shop. He failed
+to note the excitement with which the detective listened to his story.
+"It may have been the snuff box," Duvall cried, moving forward rapidly
+in his excitement. "A clever scheme, I must say." He looked about
+eagerly for the man who had left the shop so short a time before, but he
+had disappeared in the darkness. "If you could only have warned me in
+some way."
+
+"It was impossible, monsieur," said Dufrenne much crestfallen. "I could
+not leave the chair until the man had finished shaving me."
+
+"Of course not," replied Duvall, uncertain what course to pursue next.
+"The man went in this direction. I noticed him particularly. Perhaps if
+I were to hurry I might overtake him." He started forward. "You stay
+here and watch Seltz. If I do not return, report to me at Monsieur de
+Grissac's." He turned and disappeared in the crowd.
+
+Dufrenne went slowly back to the neighborhood of the shop, and stood in
+the shadow of the doorway, waiting. Presently he observed two of the
+assistants, in street clothes, leave the place and hurry off into the
+darkness. Neither of them was Seltz. The lights in the shop began to go
+out. Another assistant left. Only Seltz and the proprietor now remained
+within. He crept toward the window, and cautiously looked inside.
+Monsieur Perrier stood before one of the mirrors, arranging his bushy
+hair. _There was no one else in the shop._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+Grace Duvall arrived at the house of the American Minister at about
+half-past five, and luckily found him at home. From the maid at the
+hotel she had learned that his name was Phelps, Austin Phelps, and she
+at once recognized it as that of a lawyer prominent in business and
+social circles in New York. That he should know her, at least by name,
+was not at all surprising--her aunt, prior to her marriage to Count
+d'Este, had been much courted on account of both her beauty and her
+wealth. She waited in the handsome drawing-room to which she had been
+conducted, nervously wondering what the nature of her reception would
+be. The card she had given to the servant was one of her own--in fact,
+she remembered with a smile that her marriage to Richard Duvall but a
+few hours before had so filled her mind and heart that she had
+completely forgotten to have any cards prepared setting forth her new
+estate. It was as Grace Ellicott that the Minister would know her,
+however, and her business in Brussels made it desirable that she should
+pose as a single woman. It was not at all difficult, she thought to
+herself, under the circumstances.
+
+Mr. Phelps, the Minister, proved to be a rubicund, rather portly
+gentleman, with white side whiskers and an air of urbane courtesy that
+set her at her ease at once. She told him who she was, hopefully, and
+was delighted to find that he placed her at once.
+
+"Margaret Ellicott's niece," he said with a pleasant smile, offering his
+hand. "My dear girl, I'm delighted to meet you. I knew your aunt well,
+years ago, when you were going about in short dresses. I lost sight of
+her, after she married D'Este, and went to Paris to live. It was only
+the other day that I learned of her death. She was a fine woman. Mrs.
+Phelps and myself were both very fond of her. Won't you take a seat and
+tell me what you are doing in Brussels?"
+
+Grace sat down, and at once plunged into her story. "I have suffered a
+great deal, lately, Mr. Phelps," she began, "from nervousness. I've been
+living in Paris, you know, and many things have happened to upset me.
+You have heard, of course, of the Count d'Este's treatment of me, and of
+his arrest and conviction?"
+
+"Yes." He nodded gravely. "I do not wonder that you feel upset."
+
+"Of late I have suffered a great deal from attacks of sleep walking. I
+get up at night and wander about, without knowing what I am doing. One
+night, I went out on the balcony and nearly walked off into the street."
+She lied bravely, hoping that her story would appear plausible.
+
+"Too bad," Mr. Phelps remarked, evidently somewhat surprised that she
+should confide such matters to him. "You are under treatment, of
+course."
+
+"No--that is, not at present. No one in Paris has been able to do me any
+good. I have heard so much of Dr. Hartmann and his marvelous success
+with all sorts of mental and nervous troubles that I have decided to
+consult him. That is why I came to Brussels."
+
+"I see. Well--he's a splendid man. You couldn't do better. I know him
+very well, and like him immensely. A thorough scientist. Have you seen
+him, yet?"
+
+"No. I--I understood that he does not care to take patients without
+references as to their standing, financial and otherwise."
+
+"My dear girl, you would have no trouble. Of course he is overrun with
+patients--and as his sanatorium is a small one, he is obliged to charge
+large fees and take only the best and wealthiest class. He is an
+investigator, rather than a practitioner, and for that reason is obliged
+to guard his time."
+
+"Then may I ask that you will give me a letter to him?" Grace said,
+hesitatingly.
+
+"Certainly. I'll do it gladly. When do you intend to call on him?"
+
+"I thought of going at once."
+
+"Then I'll do better than give you a letter. I'll call him up by
+telephone and make an appointment for you. Say in half an hour. It will
+take you about twenty minutes to drive to his place. Will that be
+convenient?"
+
+"Perfectly, Mr. Phelps, and thank you very much."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear girl. Only too happy to do it for you. You must come
+and meet Mrs. Phelps, later on, and dine with us. Just at present she is
+out, taking tea with some friends. I want you to know her." He rose and
+started toward the door. "Excuse me for a few moments, while I telephone
+the doctor."
+
+Grace, left alone, could not help regretting the deceit she had been
+obliged to practise upon her aunt's old friend, but there seemed to be
+no help for it. She only hoped that nothing would occur, subsequently,
+to involve the latter in any disagreeable explanations.
+
+Mr. Phelps returned to the drawing-room in a few moments, his face
+weathed in smiles of satisfaction. "You're lucky," he said. "Dr.
+Hartmann tells me that he can accommodate you at once, as he discharged
+one of his patients, cured, only this morning. If you propose to remain
+at his house for treatment, which would be the only satisfactory way, I
+would suggest that you drive around by way of your hotel and arrange to
+have your baggage sent at once. I have written the address, and a few
+words to the doctor, on this card. Any of the cab drivers will know it,
+of course. Dr. Hartmann is one of the most prominent men in Brussels. I
+wish you good luck in your stay at his place, and whenever you are in
+the city, come in and have luncheon. Mrs. Phelps will be delighted." He
+led the way to the door, and ushered the girl into her cab. "Glad I was
+able to be of service to you," he said, as she drove off.
+"Good-evening."
+
+When Grace entered the office of Dr. Hartmann, she was quite conscious
+of the fact that it would not be necessary for her to pretend to be
+nervous. In fact she felt herself turning hot and cold with fear, and
+wondered whether she would have the courage to play the part which had
+been so unexpectedly thrust upon her.
+
+The place itself was pleasant and attractive enough in appearance. It
+consisted of a large stone building, with a mansard roof, set back some
+hundred or more yards from the street, and surrounded by a small park,
+filled with trees and shrubbery. A well-kept gravel driveway led from
+the gate to the main entrance, which opened into a large hall. She
+observed as she came in, a sort of parlor, or reception-room, to the
+right, handsomely furnished in rather an old-fashioned style, with a
+large marble mantel and fireplace at one end of it. In the latter a
+blaze of cannel coal lit up the room with a pleasant radiance. It was
+not yet dark without, and the lights in the reception room were unlit,
+although a lamp was burning in the hall.
+
+The maid who admitted her, a pleasant-faced German woman of middle age,
+conducted her into the reception-room, and taking her card, disappeared
+down the hall. In a few moments she returned, and nodding to Grace,
+opened a door at the left of the hall and bade her enter.
+
+She found herself in the doctor's office, a large room, furnished in
+leather. A table in the center contained a lamp, and many magazines and
+papers. There was no one in the room when she entered, but before she
+had time to select a chair, a door at the rear of the room opened, and
+Dr. Hartmann came in.
+
+He was a man of powerful build, and gave one the impression of great
+size, although not in reality above medium height. His shoulders,
+however, were very broad and thick, his neck short and powerful, his
+head large, with heavy iron-gray hair. A short beard of the same color
+covered the lower part of his face, while through a pair of gold-rimmed
+spectacles his eyes shone with piercing brightness. Grace thought, as he
+came toward her, that she had seldom seen a more striking-looking man.
+
+"Be seated, miss," he said, addressing her in English, though with a
+decided accent. "You are Miss Grace Ellicott, I believe." He glanced at
+the card which he held in his hand.
+
+"Yes," said Grace, nervously taking a seat.
+
+"Mr. Phelps tells me you suffer from somnambulism," the doctor went on.
+"How long have you observed the symptoms?"
+
+"About six months," answered Grace, steadily.
+
+"Are the occurrences frequent?"
+
+"Yes. Almost every night."
+
+"Had you experienced any great shock, about the time these
+manifestations began?"
+
+"Yes. My aunt, whom I loved very dearly, had died."
+
+"Oh! And when you walk in your sleep, do you seem to see her?"
+
+Grace reflected over this question for several moments. Then she
+recollected that persons given to somnambulism never remember their
+experiences. "No. I have no recollection of what occurs."
+
+The doctor's face was lit with a satisfied smile. He came over to Grace,
+drew apart the lids of one of her eyes and gazed into it, looked at her
+hands critically, felt her pulse for a moment, then asked suddenly,
+"Have you ever been placed under the influence of hypnosis?"
+
+She trembled. If this man were to hypnotize her, as she was perfectly
+certain that he could, he might force her to tell him everything, and
+thereby endanger the success of the whole plan. "No," she replied,
+firmly. "I should not care for it."
+
+"It is a method of treatment, miss, which I use a great deal."
+
+"I hope it will not be necessary, doctor, to use it upon me. I have
+always had a horror of being hypnotized. Please do not attempt it."
+
+"Very well, miss," the doctor laughed. "It may not be necessary. Before
+we go further with your case, I shall want to observe it carefully for a
+few days. You understand my terms, of course." The doctor named a large
+sum. "So much each week, and an additional charge for my services,
+depending upon the nature of the case."
+
+Grace nodded, although the amount was sufficiently large to stagger her.
+"I shall gladly pay what you ask," she said, "if you can only cure me."
+She rose as the doctor stepped to the side of the room and pressed an
+electric button.
+
+"You can go to your room at once, Miss Ellicott," the doctor went on.
+"One of the maids will conduct you. Your meals will be served there, or
+you can eat in the large dining-room, as you prefer. There are only
+twenty other patients. Some of them you might find very agreeable. Make
+yourself thoroughly at home. There are many excellent books in the
+library, and you will perhaps wish to walk in the grounds, or visit your
+friends in the city. The nature of your case is such that no particular
+regimen, no rules of health are necessary. Remember, however, that we
+close the gates of the park at sundown. I will see you again, this
+evening, and bring you some medicine. It is merely a sedative, to quiet
+your nerves. It is not possible to do much for complaints such as yours,
+by means of drugs." He turned, as a quiet, pleasant-faced woman opened
+the door. "Anna," he said to her in German, "conduct Miss Ellicott to
+her room, and make her comfortable."
+
+Not wishing to endure the ordeal of dining with strangers, Grace decided
+to have her dinner served in her room. She found it excellent, and very
+well cooked. After dinner she sat in an easy chair by the large electric
+lamp and read a book she had brought with her.
+
+At ten o'clock Dr. Hartmann came in, and asked her a few more questions,
+gave the nurse a small bottle containing a dark brown liquid and
+instructed her as to administering it, then said good-night and went
+out. Grace threw down her book, and announced that she was ready to
+retire. The maid assisted her to undress, gave her a few drops of the
+medicine in a small glass of sherry, put out the light, and departed,
+informing Grace that she would be in the hall, within call, if the
+latter wished anything.
+
+In spite of the medicine which she had taken, Grace was far too nervous
+and excited to fall asleep. She realized the daring nature of the game
+she had been called upon to play, and for a moment her spirits sank and
+she felt a sense of fear. Thoughts of Richard, however, soon restored
+her courage. She would face any danger to serve him. How different from
+what she had imagined, was this, her first night of married life!
+Instead of lying in Richard's arms, on board the steamer bound for
+America, here she was, a patient in a sanatorium in Brussels. The thing
+seemed unreal--impossible.
+
+After a while, the noises of the house ceased one by one. As midnight
+struck, all was dark and silent. Only the faint sound of the wind among
+the trees in the park came to her ears. She wondered whether it was
+necessary for her to pretend to walk in her sleep this night--in order
+that the doctor might feel that her case was a real one. She rose
+softly, undecided, and going to the window, looked out.
+
+The room in which she then was, occupied a position at the rear of the
+building, and in one of its two wings. From the center of the main
+building she observed a covered passageway, or bridge, extending out for
+perhaps a hundred feet and terminating in a sort of square tower. In one
+of the rooms in the tower, on a level with herself, she saw lights, and
+the figure of a man moving about.
+
+The place attracted her attention. She wondered what its use could be.
+Then an inspiration struck her. The covered bridge ran from the main
+hall not thirty feet from her own door. She determined to cross it,
+pretending to be walking in her sleep, and find out what she could
+regarding the brick tower. When the time came, she knew that all the
+information she could possess about the house and its occupants would be
+necessary to the success of her plans.
+
+She threw about her a dressing-gown, and quietly opened her door. The
+maid was nowhere to be seen, but doubtless she would shortly return. The
+chair upon which she had been sitting, at the point where the side and
+main halls met, stood directly beneath the electric light. No doubt,
+Grace thought, she had been called away for a few moments by one of the
+other patients on the floor.
+
+Now was her chance. She stepped noiselessly down the cross hall, her
+eyes wide open and hands clenched at her sides. At the junction of the
+two halls she turned to the right, toward a door which, she judged, gave
+entrance to the covered way. She found this unlocked, opened it, entered
+the passageway and closed the door behind her. Then she began to walk
+slowly along the bridge.
+
+It was a narrow structure, not exceeding five feet in width, with top
+and sides of corrugated metal, and a floor of wooden planks. At the far
+end of it she perceived a glass door, behind which shone a brilliant
+light.
+
+She approached the door cautiously, keeping up all the while the
+pretense of walking in her sleep. This was not easy--she did not know
+just how persons who were somnambulists acted, but she had read
+descriptions of such cases, and had once seen a play in which one of the
+characters was a sleep walker. She tried to give her eyes a vacant,
+unseeing expression, and fearlessly approached the door.
+
+It stood slightly ajar, and through the glass panels she saw at once
+that the room was Dr. Hartmann's laboratory. She arrived at this
+conclusion from the various medical appliances which stood about the
+room, the uses of which she did not know. Her inspection of the room,
+however, was but momentary, for two figures, brightly illuminated by an
+overhanging cluster of electric lights, at once attracted her attention.
+One of these was Dr. Hartmann. He sat at a large, flat-topped desk, his
+profile toward the door, examining with great care a mass of papers
+which lay on the desk before him. His forehead was wrinkled with
+thought, and an expression of anger dominated his face.
+
+At the other side of the desk sat a tall spare man, with a
+military-looking carriage, and a fierce blond mustache, which he was
+gnawing uneasily. The two figures sat silent for several moments, no
+word passing between them, while Grace watched intently. Presently she
+heard the doctor speak. "It took you two years, it seems, to find out
+that Monsieur de Grissac uses snuff."
+
+The other nodded. "One year and ten months, to be exact."
+
+"And now," the doctor went on, angrily, "you trust everything to a
+stranger."
+
+"It is better so, is it not? The affair is dangerous. Neither you, nor
+I, can afford to be mixed up in it."
+
+Doctor Hartmann brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang. "_Gott
+in Himmel!_" he roared. "We must take some risks, my friend. I tell you
+I must have De Grissac's snuff box without further delay. If that does
+not solve the problem, we are at the end of our rope."
+
+"It will solve it," the other man replied imperturbably. "I have
+positive assurances to that effect. Furthermore, I have every reason to
+believe that we shall hear from London before the end of the week."
+
+"Have you received any word?" the doctor inquired eagerly.
+
+"Yes. The attempt was to be made either to-day or to-morrow. Our man
+will report to you at once. He knows nothing of the matter, of course.
+He will deliver the box to you, and receive the money."
+
+"Who is the fellow?"
+
+"I do not know his name. I have not seen him, myself. Gratz arranged
+everything in London. I considered it very important that nothing should
+occur which would connect us with the matter in any way. Monsieur de
+Grissac will discover his loss very quickly and will use every effort to
+prevent the box from falling into our hands. Gratz and the others would
+invite suspicion at once. The fellow they have chosen to handle the
+matter is unknown to the French police. He will attract no attention.
+The plan appears to be perfect."
+
+The doctor nodded slowly, chewing on his cigar. "I hope you are right,
+Mayer," he said, and looked at his watch.
+
+As he finished speaking, Grace heard someone approaching her from
+behind, but she paid no attention. In a moment the attendant touched her
+lightly on the arm. She turned, gazing at the woman with staring,
+unseeing eyes. The latter looked at her keenly, then began to lead her
+along the bridge toward the main building.
+
+When they reached her bedroom, the nurse turned on the lights suddenly,
+glancing at Grace's face as she did so. The girl did not dare even to
+blink her eyes. "Sit down," the woman commanded, sharply. Grace sank
+upon the edge of the bed. "Take off your shoes," the nurse went on, in a
+stern voice. The girl had slipped on a pair of bedroom slippers--she
+proceeded to remove them mechanically, fumbling with them as though
+trying to unfasten the laces of a pair of shoes. "Now your dress," the
+nurse ordered. Grace began awkwardly to remove the dressing-gown she had
+thrown about her. When the woman told her sharply to get into bed, she
+did so without a word, apparently quite unconscious of what she was
+doing. It was a splendid piece of acting, and she did it so well that if
+the nurse had any doubts as to the reality of her somnambulistic
+condition they were at once dispelled. As soon as the girl placed her
+head upon the pillows, she pretended to be sound asleep, her eyes
+closed, her breathing regular and slow. After a time, the attendant put
+out the light and left the room.
+
+The girl lay still for hours, wondering what there was in the strange
+conversation she had overheard that could help Richard in his efforts to
+recover the stolen snuff box. That it had been stolen she knew; that it
+had not yet been delivered to Dr. Hartmann she also knew. Perhaps
+Richard might have succeeded in recovering it before now; if not, the
+messenger bringing it to the doctor's office would undoubtedly arrive
+the next day. She determined to rise early, in order that she might, if
+possible, send word of what she had heard to Brussels by means of the
+young man who drove the delivery wagon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+When Richard Duvall left Dufrenne, the curio dealer, in Piccadilly
+Circus, and started after the man who had purchased the box of powder in
+the barber shop, he realized to the full the hopelessness of his task.
+The man had left the shop at least two minutes before Dufrenne came
+out--perhaps more, and another minute had been consumed by the latter in
+telling his story. Three minutes' start, in a crowded street at night,
+was a handicap which the detective could scarcely hope to overcome.
+
+He hurried along in the general direction the fellow had taken, trying
+to form in his mind a clear picture of his appearance. In the dim light
+before the shop he had not been able to observe him closely, nor had
+there, indeed, appeared any very good reason for doing so; he had
+thought the man but a belated customer of the place and had barely
+glanced at him.
+
+His experience in summing up at a glance the general characteristics of
+those he met, however, stood him in good stead--he remembered that the
+man had worn a long brown overcoat, a derby hat, and carried in his hand
+a small satchel. The latter, which Dufrenne had failed to mention,
+indicated a traveler--the man's words to Seltz, on purchasing the box of
+powder, seemed to confirm it. The man had walked, apparently, instead of
+taking a cab. Charing Cross station was but a short distance away. What
+more natural, Duvall reasoned, than that the man he was following, was
+on his way to take a train?
+
+Following this line of reasoning, the detective walked hastily in the
+direction of Charing Cross, dodging in and out among the passers-by, and
+eying keenly everyone he met, in the hope that he might discover the man
+with the satchel. He was, however, doomed to disappointment. After
+spending over fifteen minutes in Charing Cross station, watching the
+crowds at the booking offices, the telegraph and telephone booths and
+the restaurant, he concluded that he had been mistaken in his course of
+reasoning and reluctantly turned his steps once more toward the shop of
+M. Perrier. There was, of course, still the chance that his deductions
+had been wrong. Seltz might still have the snuff box in his possession,
+and the man with the satchel be merely a harmless individual who used
+rice powder after shaving. He almost reproached himself for having
+wasted so much time, and hurried along through Piccadilly Circus, in a
+state of considerable perplexity.
+
+As he came up to the shop, he saw Dufrenne standing before the window,
+his eyes glued to the pane. Something in his astonished expression
+attracted the detective's attention at once. He tapped the curio dealer
+lightly on the shoulder.
+
+Dufrenne turned suddenly, much startled, then recognizing Duvall, drew
+him to one side. "I have watched the door every minute since you left,"
+he said in a trembling voice. "Seltz did not come out--yet he is not
+inside. No one is there but Monsieur Perrier."
+
+Duvall started back with a muttered exclamation. "You--you must be
+mistaken," he cried.
+
+"Look!" The Frenchman pointed to the window. Duvall glanced within. The
+proprietor of the place was its only occupant.
+
+The detective turned to his companion and nodded. "Come inside," he
+said, shortly, and striding up to the door, threw it open and entered
+the place.
+
+Monsieur Perrier, startled half out of his wits by the suddenness with
+which Duvall entered the room, dropped the comb with which he had been
+arranging his hair and turned with an alarmed face. "The shop--it is
+closed for the night," he said. "My men have all gone home."
+
+"Has Seltz gone?" asked Duvall, sharply.
+
+"Seltz? Surely. He left immediately after shaving this gentleman."
+Perrier indicated Dufrenne with a fat and trembling forefinger. "Is
+anything wrong, gentlemen? Was the shave not satisfactory?"
+
+Duvall looked at the curio dealer with a smile of chagrin. "It's
+perfectly clear, Dufrenne," he said, somewhat crestfallen. "Our man went
+out as we were walking up the street--while you were telling me what
+happened in the shop."
+
+The little old man nodded. Monsieur Perrier continued to gaze at his
+visitors. "What is it you wish, gentlemen?" he presently inquired.
+
+"Where does Seltz live?" Duvall demanded, sharply.
+
+"Alas--I do not know. He has worked for me but three months. I knew
+nothing of him--nothing at all. He--he asked for leave of absence
+yesterday--he was to be gone a week, but to-night he told me that he
+would not go."
+
+Duvall's eyes lit up. He turned to Dufrenne. "After what
+happened--to-night," he said, significantly, "he feared to
+leave--thinking that his going away would be an admission of his guilt."
+
+Again Dufrenne nodded. Monsieur Perrier looked at them with bulging
+eyes. "Guilt!" he exclaimed. "Has this fellow Seltz been doing anything
+he should not?"
+
+"Possibly," Duvall ejaculated, dryly. "Do you happen to know where he
+was going?"
+
+"He--he said something about visiting his parents. Oh--gentlemen--I beg
+of you, do not cause any scandal--it would ruin my trade. I shall
+discharge the fellow at once."
+
+"You will do nothing of the sort," exclaimed Duvall, angrily. "If he
+reports for duty to-morrow, say nothing to him of our visit, or it will
+be worse for you." He leaned toward the terrified barber. "I am a
+detective," he said, shortly. "Be careful what you do."
+
+Monsieur Perrier sank upon his knees, his hands lifted in supplication.
+"_Mon Dieu_--what shall I do--my business--it will be desolated--what
+shall I do?"
+
+"Get up, and hold your tongue first of all. After that, tell me, if you
+can, where it was that Seltz intended to go, to visit his parents?"
+
+"He spoke of Brussels--he intended to take the night boat from Harwich
+to Antwerp. I heard him discussing his plans with one of the other men."
+
+"Brussels!" Duvall hurriedly glanced at his watch. "There's just time,
+if we hurry--come." He turned to Dufrenne, excitement showing in every
+line of his face. As he hurried toward the door he spoke over his
+shoulder to Monsieur Perrier. "Don't open your mouth to a soul--do you
+hear? If you do, you'll get yourself into a peck of trouble." The last
+thing they heard as they left the shop was the barber's howls of assent.
+
+At the corner Duvall signaled a passing cab. "Liverpool Street station,
+in a hurry," he cried. "Half a crown extra, if you make the boat train
+for Harwich."
+
+Dufrenne gazed at his companion in bewilderment. "I do not understand,
+Monsieur Duvall," he began, but the detective cut him short. "The thing
+is as plain as a pipe stem," he said. "Seltz expected to get the snuff
+box from the Ambassador's man this afternoon, and had made his
+arrangements to leave with it for Brussels at once. The events of the
+evening--culminating in Noel's murder, made him fear to do so. He
+realized that the note, delivered to him by one of the Ambassador's
+servants, might attract suspicion toward him, and therefore wisely made
+up his mind to remain quietly where he was, sending the box by some
+friend. He dared not hand the box to him at any place outside the shop,
+for fear he might be watched. No doubt he arranged with his friend to
+come to the place just before closing, and to pretend to buy the face
+powder, as you saw him do. Seltz had only to turn the powder out of the
+package, put the snuff box inside, and the thing was done. This he no
+doubt did at some opportune moment during the evening, when he was
+certain he was not observed. It is a mighty clever scheme--I'll admit.
+You saw nothing suspicious about the transaction, and I confess that I
+did not realize its significance at the time. Naturally the man to whom
+he gave the box will make for Brussels at once, since it was to that
+point that Seltz intended going. No doubt he was operating in the
+interests of someone else--some third person to whom the box is of great
+value, and who has agreed to pay a large sum for it on delivery. You saw
+the fellow who bought the powder hand Seltz money--how much you could
+not tell. It may be that Seltz was obliged to divide the reward with his
+friend, and that the latter has already turned over to Seltz his share
+in advance. Of that we cannot be certain, nor is it material. Seltz is
+undoubtedly guilty of the murder of the man Noel, but to stay here and
+arrest him now would only defeat the object we have in view. After the
+box has been recovered, we can return and deal with Seltz. You may be
+quite sure he will not dare to run away, for fear that by so doing he
+would admit his guilt."
+
+Dufrenne looked at the detective in admiration. "You reason well,
+monsieur," he remarked. "But why should they be taking the box to
+Brussels?"
+
+"That I cannot tell you, of course, except that, as I said before, the
+plot to steal it inevitably originated there. We shall learn more
+to-morrow, after we have arrived in the city. The next thing to be done
+is to find our man."
+
+They arrived at Liverpool Street station just in time to swing aboard
+the train for Harwich as it was pulling out. There were not many
+passengers--they found themselves in a smoking-compartment quite to
+themselves.
+
+"There is no use in attempting to do anything until we reach Harwich,"
+the detective remarked, pulling his hat over his eyes. He leaned back
+and began to speculate disgustedly upon the events of the day. Married
+at noon--torn from his wife within an hour--in London at night--a
+murder--and now a wild chase to Brussels after a snuff box. It seemed
+almost ludicrous. He smiled grimly. He had not expected to spend in
+quite this way the first twelve hours of his honeymoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+On the morning of her first day at Dr. Hartmann's sanatorium, Grace
+Duvall rose early, and dressed herself for a walk. She was determined,
+if possible, to communicate the results of her adventure the night
+before to the French police in Brussels, and realizing that to do so by
+the only means in her power, namely, the young man who drove the
+delivery wagon, might involve considerable risk of discovery, she
+dressed herself as simply as possible, in a dark-gray suit and white
+shirtwaist.
+
+She had her breakfast in her room, and then told the nurse that she
+intended to take a walk in the grounds. During breakfast she complained
+of the bread which was served her--and informed the maid that in her
+country people ate hot bread at breakfast. The woman seemed surprised.
+"Hot bread!" she exclaimed. "_Mon Dieu!_ Who ever heard of such a
+thing."
+
+"If you bake your bread here in the house," Grace went on, "you could
+easily serve hot bread or rolls to me."
+
+"Impossible, mademoiselle. All our bread comes from a bakery in the
+city. A young man brings it each morning at ten o'clock."
+
+Grace laughed inwardly. This was just the information for which she was
+seeking. It was then a little after nine. She felt tired and worn from
+her almost sleepless night, and her appearance showed it. When she told
+the nurse that she intended to take a stroll, and get some air, the
+latter nodded. "Dr. Hartmann has recommended it," she said. "He is a
+great believer in the value of fresh air." The woman made no reference
+to the events of the night before, nor did Grace. She knew that sleep
+walkers were not supposed to remember anything that occurred during
+their attacks of somnambulism.
+
+On the way out she met Dr. Hartmann, returning from his after-breakfast
+constitutional. He was just entering his office. "Good morning, Miss
+Ellicott," he said, pleasantly. "May I ask you to step inside a moment?
+There are a few questions I should like to ask you."
+
+She obeyed, much against her will. It was nearly half-past nine, she
+knew, and she must not miss the delivery man, if she was to send her
+message to Brussels. She heard the doctor saying that he would detain
+her but a few moments.
+
+His first question sent the color to her cheeks, and she hesitated
+before answering it, realizing that it was a trap. "Do you feel any the
+worse, miss, from the experiences of last night?" he inquired.
+
+For a moment she was about to say "no," but caught herself in time.
+"What experiences?" she asked, innocently enough. "Did I have an
+attack?"
+
+She fancied that the doctor appeared relieved. He smiled as he replied.
+"You wandered about a little. The nurse must have been negligent. I have
+reprimanded her. You might readily have a serious accident, if left to
+yourself."
+
+Grace looked at him with a smile which scarcely concealed her agitation.
+"I hope I caused no trouble," she said. "It is a frightful affliction. I
+trust you will be able to do something for me."
+
+"Don't worry, my dear young lady. We shall cure you beyond a doubt. I
+think, however, that it will be necessary to employ hypnosis. All cases
+such as yours respond most readily to hypnotic suggestion. However, I
+shall observe your case for a while longer, before making a decision.
+You are going out for a walk, I see."
+
+"Yes. I love the air." She rose with a secret fear of the man in her
+heart. If he should hypnotize her, what was there to prevent his
+learning everything. She determined to avoid this method of treatment at
+all costs, yet could not see how to do so without arousing his
+suspicions. "Good-morning," she said, hastily, as she left the room.
+
+The walk to the entrance gate in the fresh autumn air served to revive
+her spirits wonderfully. Her original intention had been to stroll down
+the avenue which fronted the house, in the hope of meeting the delivery
+wagon on the way. In a moment the futility of this plan became apparent.
+She did not know from which direction the wagon would appear, nor would
+she be able to recognize it, even should she be lucky enough to meet it.
+She paused at the gate, uncertain, then began to walk along a path which
+led among the trees and shrubbery, with one eye all the while upon the
+gateway at the entrance. Once or twice vehicles passing along the road
+outside startled her into sudden action; she went toward the gate only
+to find that they had passed on. The tenseness of the situation began to
+get on her nerves; in her fear she was certain that she was being
+watched from the house, or by the gardener in the distance who was
+engaged in taking the leaves from the graveled walks. She had almost
+given up in despair when she heard the rumble of an approaching cart,
+and saw a smart little wagon driven by a young man in a blue jacket with
+large brass buttons, enter the gate.
+
+She went quickly toward the roadway, pretending an interest in the
+horse. The young man saw her approaching, and looked at her shrewdly.
+She gave a slight nod, and continued to approach him. All of a sudden he
+threw down the reins, gave an exclamation, and jumping from the wagon,
+began to inspect the horse's feet with great deliberateness and care.
+
+Grace went up to the horse, and began patting its nose. "Poor fellow,"
+she said, consolingly, in English, looking all the while at the young
+man's face.
+
+"Are you Miss Ellicott?" he said suddenly in rather halting English,
+without turning his head.
+
+"Yes." Her reply was quick, eager. "Dr. Hartmann is expecting a
+messenger from London with the stolen snuff box to-day or to-morrow. I
+heard them talking about it, last night. The messenger is a stranger to
+him. He does not suspect that I am watching him."
+
+The boy nodded gravely. "You are instructed to remain near the front of
+the house, or in the reception-room inside, as much as possible, during
+the day. The man from London is expected this morning. He may be here at
+any moment. Keep your eyes open." He began to whistle merrily, pretended
+to remove a stone from one of the horse's shoes, sprang back into the
+wagon and drove off to the house, without paying any further attention
+to her.
+
+Grace walked slowly up the driveway, and finding a bench near a bed of
+geraniums, sat down and pretended to read a book which she had brought
+with her. After a time, the delivery wagon returned, but the boy did not
+even glance at her as he passed out. She noticed, however, that he was
+driving rapidly and appeared to be in a great hurry.
+
+She sat on the bench for over an hour, wondering what would be the next
+development in this mysterious affair. She could not shake off the idea
+that she would soon see Richard, in spite of the fact that she had no
+definite reasons upon which to base her hopes. One thing, however,
+seemed certain. If the man with the stolen snuff box had arrived in
+Brussels, it clearly meant that Richard had failed to capture him in
+London, and it seemed not unreasonable to suppose that he would be
+following him.
+
+She thought about the matter so much that it interfered with her
+attempts to read the book. After a while she closed it, and sat watching
+the distant gardener as he ceaselessly raked the gravel paths.
+Everything seemed so quiet, so full of peace--everything, in fact, but
+her own thoughts. Somehow it seemed impossible to believe that
+underneath all the beauty of this clear autumn day lay plotting, and
+tragedy, and even death.
+
+It was close to noon, when she ceased her musings, and rising, went
+toward the house. Sitting so long in the open air had made her a bit
+chilly. She determined to seek the grateful warmth of the
+reception-room. As she mounted the steps of the house she heard sounds
+of a cab being driven rapidly along the main street, and a sudden
+intuition warned her that something of an unusual nature was about to
+happen. She glanced back, as the servant opened the door in response to
+her ring, and was not surprised to see that the vehicle had entered the
+grounds, and was rapidly approaching the house.
+
+Her hasty glance showed her that it contained but a single occupant, a
+man, and in spite of the distance, she fancied that she detected
+something familiar about the poise of his head and shoulders. The
+thought was but momentary--she stepped at once into the reception-room
+at the right, sat down by the fire, and opening her book, pretended to
+be deeply absorbed in its contents. In reality she was observing
+narrowly the maid in the hallway, who stood at the open door, waiting to
+admit the man who was driving up in the cab.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+When Richard Duvall and Dufrenne arrived at Harwich, on their way from
+London, the former requested his companion to turn up his coat collar,
+pull his soft hat over his eyes, and put on his spectacles. He feared
+that the man they were trying to locate might recognize the curio dealer
+as the person who had occupied the chair next to him in Monsieur
+Perrier's barber shop earlier in the evening. He also requested the
+Frenchman to make his way to the boat alone, keeping a sharp lookout for
+the man in the brown overcoat.
+
+Duvall himself joined the straggling crowd of sleepy passengers as they
+went aboard the steamer for Antwerp, his eyes searching every passenger
+about him for some sight of the one he sought. Once he thought he
+recognized the man, a long way off, going up the steamer's gang plank,
+but he could not be sure, in the flickering light, that he was right.
+
+He went aboard the boat, in some doubt as to whether, after all, his
+course of reasoning might not be incorrect. Here he was bound for the
+Continent, on the heels of a man whom he had no real proof was not at
+this moment sleeping peacefully in his bed in London.
+
+The situation was a trying one. He lit a cigar and began to pace the
+deck nervously, inspecting the few passengers who had elected to remain
+outside, before directing his steps to the saloon below.
+
+After some five minutes spent in a useless search, he observed a
+familiar figure approaching him from the direction of the companionway,
+and at once saw that it was Dufrenne. The latter passed him without any
+sign of recognition, but just as their elbows were almost touching, said
+in a low voice, "He is below, in the saloon, monsieur. Has not taken a
+stateroom."
+
+Duvall continued his walk about the decks for a few moments longer, then
+threw away his cigar, and descended to the saloon. A number of
+passengers were dozing on the sofas, or in chairs, and at a table
+several were playing cards. He paused for a moment to watch the game,
+his eyes searching the room for the man in the brown overcoat. After a
+time he located him, sprawled in an easy chair, his eyes closed, his
+satchel tossed carelessly upon the floor beside him.
+
+The detective began to stroll about the place, as though in deep
+thought. His eyes were fixed, however, upon the face of the man in the
+chair. It was a determined face, as the thin lips and close-set eyes
+showed, but Duvall noted with satisfaction signs of weakness about the
+half-open mouth. The man was undoubtedly sleeping soundly.
+
+Duvall was at a loss to know just what to do. He was convinced that the
+ivory snuff box, upon the recovery of which Monsieur Lefevre had assured
+him the honor of France itself depended, was within ten feet of him, yet
+he could do nothing, apparently, at the moment, to regain it. To arrest
+the man, except on French soil, was out of the question. Even could he
+do so, the package which the latter had so carelessly slipped into his
+overcoat pocket in Monsieur Perrier's shop might contain, after all, but
+a harmless box of rice powder, and he would be hard put to explain
+satisfactorily his action. On the other hand, the presence of the snuff
+box on the man's person, supposing this to be beyond question, was not
+in itself sufficient to warrant placing him under arrest. He might claim
+it as his own property. There was nothing to show that it had been
+stolen. Clearly the only thing to do was to attempt to get the box from
+him by stealth.
+
+After a long time spent in debating the matter pro and con., Duvall
+threw himself into a chair close to the one which the man he was
+watching occupied, and pretended to sleep. Of Dufrenne he saw nothing.
+After perhaps an hour, the card game ceased, the players retired to
+their staterooms, or to near-by sofas, and a steward began to lower the
+lights. Presently not a sound was to be heard throughout the saloon,
+except the chorus of snores from the sleeping passengers, and the
+creaking of the vessel as she plunged into the heavy Channel swell.
+
+The detective slowly advanced his foot, and with infinite patience,
+began to draw toward him the small leather satchel which lay beside the
+man's chair. He did this so slowly and imperceptibly that the operation
+occupied the best part of a quarter of an hour. At last the bag was
+safely pushed beneath the folds of his overcoat, which he had removed on
+sitting down, and now lay thrown carelessly over his knees.
+
+He bent over, noiselessly, his hand beneath the folds of the coat, and
+began to fumble with the catch of the satchel. In a few moments he
+managed to open it, and with nervous fingers examined the contents of
+the bag. Guided by the sense of touch only, he was able to identify
+successively a razor case, a shaving brush, a cotton nightshirt and a
+number of other articles of an ordinary and usual nature. He had almost
+given up the search, when his fingers closed about a small round object,
+done up in paper. His heart gave a leap of joy. He could feel the coarse
+string with which the package was bound and could tell from its
+lightness that it contained probably what he sought. In a moment he had
+drawn it noiselessly from the satchel and transferred it to the pocket
+of his coat.
+
+The process of closing the bag and returning it to its former position
+was accomplished without waking the sleeping occupant of the near-by
+chair. Duvall was conscious of a feeling of exultation. He yawned,
+stretched himself, glanced with great deliberation at his watch, then
+rose and quietly left the room.
+
+The decks seemed deserted. After some trouble he managed, however, to
+locate Dufrenne, standing beside the rail in the shadow of one of the
+lifeboats. He went up to him and saw that his teeth were chattering with
+the cold. Duvall could not repress a feeling of admiration for the
+little old Frenchman, who, rather than risk for a moment his
+identification by the man they were following, had elected to spend the
+night wandering about the decks. His patriotism was proof against even
+the cold.
+
+Duvall touched him gently on the arm. "I have secured it," he remarked,
+quietly.
+
+Dufrenne turned. "The snuff box?" he whispered excitedly.
+
+The detective nodded, and cautiously drew the circular package from his
+pocket. "It was in his satchel," he remarked, as he began to remove the
+string.
+
+Dufrenne's lips moved. He seemed to be offering up a silent prayer of
+thanks. He was scarcely able to contain his impatience as the detective
+slowly unwrapped the parcel, disclosing a small blue pasteboard box, on
+the cover of which, in black, appeared the words, "Poudre Perrier." In a
+moment Duvall had removed the lid, and plunged his finger into the box.
+As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of utter astonishment and
+disgust. The box contained nothing but rice powder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+It would be difficult to describe the feelings of annoyance and chagrin
+which swept over Richard Duvall as he tossed the box of Monsieur
+Perrier's rice powder over the side of the vessel and watched it float
+for a moment on the crest of a wave before being swept into the
+darkness. He glanced for an instant at his companion, then turned away
+as he saw the latter's stare of astonishment and dismay. He wanted to be
+alone, to think out this matter for himself.
+
+With a confusion of ideas racing through his brain he began to pace the
+deck, trying to discover wherein his reasoning had been at fault. He
+went back to the gruesome scene at the house of the Ambassador--the
+murdered valet, with the grim seal of silence upon his lips. Whoever had
+committed this murder had made away with the snuff box, of that he felt
+certain. Upon what, then, did his suspicions of Seltz rest? The evidence
+was slender--merely that the latter had had an appointment to meet the
+murdered man that afternoon, and that a person answering Seltz's
+description had inquired for the latter at the servants' entrance at
+Monsieur de Grissac's that evening. Not very convincing, surely, yet
+taken with Seltz's evident intention to leave London for Brussels that
+night, certainly significant. Following then his original hypothesis,
+that Seltz was the guilty man, and had the box in his possession, two
+solutions of the matter only seemed possible. The first was, the man in
+the saloon below, anticipating perhaps some attempt to search his
+baggage, had deliberately provided himself, through Seltz, with a second
+package, containing a box of rice powder only, which he had placed in
+his satchel, in the belief that, if found, its innocent contents would
+divert from him further suspicion. The careless way in which he had
+thrown his satchel on the floor beside him, favored this theory. It
+seemed, on sober thought, extremely unlikely that the bearer of so
+valuable a piece of property would be so thoughtless as to place it
+loosely in an unlocked handbag. Even now the real package might be
+reposing safely in some secure inner pocket.
+
+The other solution was equally probable. The purchase of the face powder
+might have been quite innocent and _bona fide_. The man below might know
+nothing whatever about the snuff box, and Seltz might even now be on his
+way to Brussels to dispose of it, in accordance with his original
+intentions. If so, however, why had he informed Monsieur Perrier that he
+had changed his mind, and would not take the vacation he had requested?
+Was this merely a blind, to avert suspicion, in case the unexpected
+murder of the man Noel resulted in inquiries being made of Monsieur
+Perrier? Of course, when Seltz had spoken of his intention to go to
+Brussels, no thought of murder was in his mind--he had no vital object
+in hiding his movements--not having any reason to suppose that suspicion
+could possibly be attracted to him. After the sending of the note to him
+by Noel, he must have realized the danger of his position, and told
+Monsieur Perrier that his plans had changed, while in reality fully
+intending to carry them out as he had originally intended.
+
+There was, of course, a possible third solution, namely, that Seltz had
+nothing to do with the murder at all, and was merely an innocent barber,
+quite unaware of all the mystery that was being woven about himself and
+his movements. In that event, as Duvall realized with the deepest
+chagrin, he would be obliged to return to London, and begin his
+investigations all over again. In this event, there could be but one
+starting point--the murder of the valet. Yet his painstaking examination
+of the scene of the murder had shown an utter absence of any clues. Even
+the weapon which had caused the valet's death was his own property--the
+finger print on the seal which closed his lips made with his own
+forefinger. And here the detective began to feel a deep sense of doubt
+as to the accuracy of his conclusions regarding Seltz's guilt. Would a
+man of his type have taken the trouble to place the gruesome seal upon
+the dead man's lips? This seemed, on second thoughts, the act of a
+hardened and unfeeling criminal--a man to whom murder was a scientific
+accomplishment, not a hasty and hideous crime. Was Seltz such a man?
+There was no answer to this question--the fleeting glimpses which Duvall
+had secured of his face, through the barber-shop window, had told him
+little or nothing of the man's character.
+
+One fact, however, presently forced itself upon the detective's mind. If
+Seltz had left the shop for Brussels that night, according to his
+original intention, he must be somewhere on the boat. No night route
+from London to Belgium existed, except that by way of Harwich. He blamed
+himself that in his eagerness to discover the stranger with the satchel
+he had not thought to look for Seltz.
+
+Upon the conclusion of his deliberations, Duvall crossed over to the
+other side of the boat, where he had left Dufrenne. The little old
+Frenchman stood gazing down at the sea, his face blue with cold, and
+filled with a look of bitter disappointment. He did not even glance up,
+as Duvall joined him.
+
+"Come, Monsieur Dufrenne," the detective said, kindly. "Let us go
+below."
+
+The old man accompanied him without a word. As they reached the
+companionway, however, he spoke. "We must return to London at once," he
+said. "This same boat will take us back to Harwich."
+
+"Yes," Duvall agreed, "unless we discover that Seltz is aboard."
+
+"Seltz?" The Frenchman looked up, puzzled, yet with an expression of
+renewed hope in his eyes.
+
+"Yes. We have apparently followed the wrong man. In that case, why not
+search for the right one. If Seltz is on board, we will follow him to
+Brussels. If not, we will return to London. We can make sure, when the
+passengers are discharged at Antwerp."
+
+Dufrenne nodded eagerly. "It may indeed be possible," he remarked, as
+they entered the saloon.
+
+Most of the passengers were on deck when the steamer reached her wharf
+at Antwerp, but in spite of a careful search, Duvall was unable to
+locate Seltz amongst them. He stood by the gang plank, watching the
+crowd as it left the boat, his eyes searching restlessly for the swarthy
+countenance of the barber. He had almost given up hope, when he saw a
+belated passenger hurriedly cross the deck and dart up the gang plank.
+He moved rapidly, his throat muffled in a blue neckcloth, his slouch hat
+pulled down over his eyes, but the glance which Duvall obtained of his
+somewhat scared face told him at once that he had located his man.
+
+He signaled quietly to Dufrenne, who had been standing discreetly in the
+background for fear the barber might recognize him, and the two left the
+boat together, some forty or more yards in Seltz's rear.
+
+They did not make any attempt to follow him closely. There seemed no
+room for doubt that he was bound for the train to Brussels, and Duvall
+and his companion followed along at a leisurely pace, showing nothing of
+the agitation they so keenly felt.
+
+They purposely avoided any attempt to enter the same compartment with
+the barber, being satisfied when they saw him climb aboard the train.
+They did, however, watch the departing passengers at all stops, and when
+they rolled into the station at Brussels, they were certain that their
+man was aboard. Nor were they mistaken. They saw him alight, look
+swiftly about as though fearing that he was being followed, and then
+start at a rapid pace toward the street.
+
+Duvall went after him at once, directing Dufrenne to go to the Hotel
+Metropole and secure a room in his own name, where he was to wait until
+he heard from his companion. These instructions given, the detective
+began to follow Seltz up the street.
+
+The man evidently knew the town well. He made no pauses, and did not
+hesitate at any time during his long walk. It terminated at a small,
+third-class hotel in the older part of the city, where he went in,
+entered the cafe, and selecting a table in a dim corner, ordered
+breakfast.
+
+Duvall, feeling safe in leaving him, at once sought a telephone and
+proceeded to call up Dufrenne at the Hotel Metropole.
+
+The latter, meanwhile, had turned from the railway station, and was
+proceeding up the street at a leisurely pace, when a young man
+approached him from behind, and touched him lightly on the shoulder.
+"Monsieur Dufrenne?" he inquired, smiling.
+
+The curio dealer glanced at the man who had accosted him, and an
+answering smile lit up his face. "Oh, Lablanche, glad to see you," he
+said. "I did not know you were on this case."
+
+"Monsieur Lefevre sent me from Paris last night. We are expecting news
+at any moment. Monsieur Duvall is with you, I observe."
+
+"Yes. He is following the man from London. He will telephone me, as soon
+as he learns his destination."
+
+The man whom Dufrenne had addressed as Lablanche, looked grave. "This
+affair has, we believe, been engineered by a physician here--Dr.
+Hartmann--you have heard of him, of course."
+
+Dufrenne turned to his companion. "Hartmann--the man of the stolen war
+plans. _Mon Dieu!_ Why did I not think of him before?" He seemed deeply
+chagrined. "Of course--of course--that explains everything."
+
+"Where is Monsieur Duvall to communicate with you?" Dufrenne's companion
+asked. His voice held a note of brisk authority.
+
+"At the Hotel Metropole. I shall take a room there at once."
+
+"Good. I must leave you for a short time. Await news from me at the
+hotel. I shall, I hope, be able to inform you, within half an hour,
+whether our suspicions regarding Dr. Hartmann are correct or not. If
+they are, you will of course advise Monsieur Duvall accordingly. Above
+all things, the delivery of the snuff box to Hartmann must be prevented.
+On that point the Prefect was emphatic." The young man turned into a
+cross street as he concluded and was swallowed up in the crowd.
+
+Dufrenne, after securing his room at the Hotel Metropole, sat down to
+wait. He did not have to wait long. The young man, Lablanche, joined him
+in a short time. "We have just learned," he said, gravely, "that our
+suspicions are entirely correct. Dr. Hartmann is responsible for the
+theft of the snuff box, and is momentarily expecting the man who is to
+deliver it to him."
+
+Dufrenne looked grave. "Duvall should know this without delay," he said.
+
+He had no more than spoken, when the telephone bell in his room rang. He
+hastened to reply and found Duvall at the other end of the wire. "Come
+to the Hotel Universelle," the latter said, laconically. "Hurry. I will
+wait for you."
+
+Dufrenne communicated the message to Lablanche. The latter nodded.
+"Good!" he said. "Give Monsieur Duvall the information you have, and
+above all, impress upon him the necessity of acting immediately. There
+is no time for delay. I will follow at once, with another of our men."
+
+The curio dealer found Duvall pacing anxiously up and down the hotel
+corridor, pretending to be searching a railway time-table. He nodded
+imperceptibly toward the cafe as Dufrenne entered, then turned and went
+out into the street. The old man followed him--in a few moments they
+were conversing rapidly in the doorway of a near-by shop.
+
+Dufrenne had but a few words to say, but they were sufficient to show
+Duvall the extreme gravity of the situation. He stood for several
+moments, considering the best way by which the delivery of the stolen
+snuff box to Dr. Hartmann might be prevented. Then he signaled a cab
+which he saw approaching. "Seltz is breakfasting--inside," he said
+quickly to Dufrenne. "Don't let him out of your sight. I am going to see
+Dr. Hartmann." He sprang into the cab, gave the doctor's name to the
+cabman, and in a moment was being driven rapidly up the street, leaving
+the little old Frenchman standing blinking with astonishment on the
+sidewalk.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+When Richard Duvall left the Hotel Universelle, en route to the office
+of Dr. Hartmann, he had no definite idea of just what he intended to do
+on reaching there. One thought was uppermost in his mind--he must
+prevent, in some way, and at any cost, the delivery of the snuff box to
+Hartmann, and since to follow Seltz to the latter's office would avail
+him nothing, he decided to precede him there.
+
+During the drive, he began to formulate a plan, daring in its
+conception, extremely dangerous in its execution, yet one which, if
+carried out with courage and determination, promised success. He was
+perfecting in his mind the details of this plan when the carriage turned
+into the driveway at Dr. Hartmann's.
+
+So occupied had he become with his thoughts that he failed to observe
+the figure of Grace, standing behind the maid in the open doorway; she
+disappeared into the reception-room before he had alighted from the cab.
+He went up to the servant, assumed an air of dignified assurance, and
+announced that he wished to see Dr. Hartmann at once.
+
+The maid ushered him in, glanced into the parlor, observed Grace sitting
+there, apparently reading, and then throwing open the door to the left
+which gave admittance to the doctor's office, bade Duvall enter. The
+latter stepped in at once, without looking into the room across the
+hall. Had he done so, he would have observed his wife, whom he fully
+supposed to be quietly waiting for him in Paris, rise from her chair
+with a frightened face and start impulsively toward him.
+
+For a moment Grace was on the point of calling out--she wanted to let
+Richard know that she was there. She wanted to see him--to talk to him,
+to realize the happiness of being once again in his presence. It had
+been, since their parting the day before, her constant thought. Then she
+suddenly realized that Monsieur Lefevre had warned her not to appear to
+recognize her husband, should she meet him in the course of her
+adventures. The thought checked her--she paused at the door of the
+reception-room and glanced down the hall.
+
+The servant who had admitted Duvall had disappeared toward the rear of
+the house. Everything about her seemed quiet. She started across the
+hall, determined to enter the room into which Richard had just vanished,
+when she heard the sound of rapid footsteps approaching her. With a
+start she turned and again entered the parlor, assuming a careless
+manner she by no means felt.
+
+She had scarcely seated herself in the chair by the fire, and opened her
+book, when she saw Dr. Hartmann appear in the hall and enter the door
+which led to the outer office.
+
+Grace was undecided as to what she should do next. Her safest course,
+she ultimately concluded, was to do nothing. She remained quietly in her
+seat, pretending to read her book, but all the while watching, with
+anxious eyes, the door on the other side of the hall.
+
+Richard Duvall, meanwhile, had entered the waiting room, his mind fully
+made up as to the course he was about to pursue. During the few moments
+which intervened, until the doctor's arrival, he looked keenly about the
+room, examining it in detail, fixing its entrances and exits firmly in
+his mind, so as to be prepared for any emergency which might arise.
+
+The room was a large one. Along the side facing the entrance door, as
+well as that which fronted on the park, were big curtained windows, set
+in deep recesses, and between them, cases of books. At the far end of
+the room, toward the rear of the house, was another door. Duvall stole
+over to it, listened carefully, then slowly opened it and looked within.
+The room proved to be the doctor's private office, and he saw at once
+that it was built in a sort of ell, and could not be entered except
+through the room in which he stood. There was a door, it is true, in the
+right-hand wall, which had once given entrance to the hall, but against
+this a heavy instrument case, with glass doors, now stood.
+
+Duvall withdrew his head and shoulders from the doorway, nodding to
+himself in a satisfied way, then noiselessly closed the door and
+returned to the center of the room.
+
+In a moment Dr. Hartmann came in, glancing at him sharply.
+"Good-morning, sir," he remarked, in French. "You wish to see me?"
+
+The detective took a card-case from his pocket and tendered the doctor a
+card. It was one of many which he carried for such emergencies, and bore
+the name of Stephen Brooks.
+
+"Yes," he said, pleasantly. "I came to consult you concerning a curious
+case."
+
+"Indeed!" The doctor looked at the card carelessly. "I see that you are
+an American." He began to speak in English. "Sit down, please."
+
+"Thank you." Duvall took a chair.
+
+"What is the nature of the case, may I ask?"
+
+"Doctor--I've heard so much of your wonderful cures--of your remarkable
+success in treating mental disorders, that I have ventured to come to
+you in the hope that you may be able to help me."
+
+The doctor smiled, not displeased at the other's flattery. "What is the
+cause of your trouble, Mr. Brooks?"
+
+Duvall observed him thoughtfully for a moment. "If a person has
+delusions upon one particular subject, is he on that account necessarily
+insane?"
+
+"Not at all. Manias of various sorts are not uncommon, and generally
+curable. Why do you ask?"
+
+"Because I want you to treat such a case."
+
+The doctor considered his patient narrowly. "Of course, you understand,
+Mr. Brooks, that my professional charges are very high."
+
+Duvall took out his pocketbook and removing from it a note for a hundred
+francs, laid it carelessly on the table. "I have understood so, Doctor,"
+he remarked. "Luckily I am a man of considerable wealth."
+
+"In that event," Hartmann remarked, eying the bill in a gratified way,
+"I am at your service. What is the nature of your complaint?"
+
+"It isn't about myself that I have come," Duvall hastened to inform him.
+"It concerns a man in my employ--my valet, to be exact."
+
+"Your valet?" The doctor frowned, and made as though to rise. "My dear
+sir--"
+
+"One moment, please, Doctor. The man is a most worthy fellow. He has
+been in my service for years. A Belgian, too, I think. I have a very
+high regard for him--an excellent servant, except for the peculiar
+delusions with which he has lately become possessed."
+
+"I fear that I cannot undertake his treatment, Mr. Brooks. I receive
+only a few patients, and those of the highest standing."
+
+"I know that. I did not propose to have the man quartered here in your
+house. I merely want you to examine him, in order that I may find out
+whether his case is curable or not. If it is, I shall take him to Paris
+and place him under treatment--if not, I must, of course, discharge him.
+It is for that reason that I have come to you."
+
+"What are the man's symptoms?" asked the doctor, shortly.
+
+"He imagines, from time to time, that he has been robbed."
+
+"That is by no means uncommon. I have seen many such cases. Are these
+delusions confined to any one subject?"
+
+"No. At times he fancies that money has been taken from him. At other
+times, jewelry that he has never possessed. Once he accused me of
+robbing him of a pair of shoes, and demanded that I pay him a large sum
+of money for them. I have generally succeeded in quieting him by
+assuring him that the stolen articles would be forthcoming later on."
+
+"Excellent. And how long has this condition been in evidence?"
+
+"About a month, now. During the past week, however, the attacks have
+been more frequent. Last night he informed me that someone had taken
+from him a diamond ring--of course he had never owned one--and wanted
+five thousand francs in return. I assured him that I would get him the
+money this morning."
+
+"The case does not seem particularly difficult, Mr. Brooks, from what
+you tell me. Of course I could determine better after a personal
+examination."
+
+"Exactly. And if you find no other conditions of an alarming nature, you
+think a cure possible?"
+
+"Undoubtedly. When can I see the man?"
+
+Duvall took out his watch. "I requested him to meet me here to-day at
+noon," he said. "I did not tell him he was coming for a medical
+examination. He might have refused to come. I let him think that you
+might be able to recover the diamond ring he thinks has been stolen from
+him. I thought it best to humor him. I should have brought him with me,
+but he had arranged to go this morning to see his people, who live in
+the town. He was to come directly here, after leaving them." He went
+over to the window and looked toward the road. "I am surprised that he
+is so late. Usually he is punctuality itself."
+
+The doctor rose. "No doubt he will be here very soon," he remarked. "You
+can wait here, if you like. I will join you on his arrival. Meanwhile,
+as I have some matters to attend to in my office, I beg that you will
+excuse me." He opened the door at the rear of the room, which led to his
+private office. "When the man arrives, kindly let me know."
+
+Duvall glanced toward the door through which Dr. Hartmann had just
+passed, then paused for several moments, listening; then he walked
+noiselessly across the room, and paused before the study door. Within
+all was quiet. Stooping down, he applied his eye to the keyhole. Dr.
+Hartmann sat at a large rosewood desk, busily writing.
+
+With a smile of satisfaction the detective arose, and going to the door
+which led to the hall, drew from the lock the key which stood in it, and
+then, opening the door slightly, inserted the key in the lock on the
+other side of the door. As he did so, he peered out across the hall, and
+for a moment the key almost dropped from his fingers. There, facing him,
+sat Grace, his wife, whom he had supposed to be safely in Paris. The
+sight for a moment completely upset him--he paused, gazing at her with
+an expression of incredulity.
+
+Grace rose, and came toward her husband, her face pale, her lips parted.
+"Richard," she whispered softly, then became suddenly silent as he
+pressed his finger to his lips.
+
+As they stood there thus, facing each other in grave uncertainty, Duvall
+heard the sound of a vehicle being driven up the graveled road. He
+glanced toward the glass entrance door and saw a cab approaching the
+house, in which sat Seltz. He turned to Grace, and spoke in a voice so
+low as to be scarcely audible.
+
+"Open the door at once--before the man can ring. Pretend to be a maid.
+Show him in here immediately. Quick." He withdrew into the waiting-room,
+leaving Grace staring at him in amazement. For a moment she hesitated.
+It seemed so cruel, to be this near to him, and yet to not even be able
+to touch his hand! Then she went quickly to the front door and threw it
+open as Seltz came up the steps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+Richard Duvall, alone in Dr. Hartmann's outer office, had not long to
+wait. He had hardly succeeded in throwing off the agitation which the
+unexpected sight of Grace had caused him, when the door from the hall
+was opened, and Grace admitted Seltz to the room.
+
+The latter glanced at Duvall with a curious look, but said nothing.
+Grace withdrew, closing the door quietly after her. The detective went
+up to the newcomer and addressed him in a low tone.
+
+"You are Oscar Seltz, from London?" he asked, bluntly.
+
+The man appeared greatly taken back. "Yes," he said, haltingly. "I wish
+to see Dr. Hartmann."
+
+"About the snuff box, of course?"
+
+Again the man started. "Who are you?" he asked, suddenly suspicious.
+
+"I am Dr. Hartmann's assistant. He has been waiting for you. You have
+the box with you, of course?"
+
+The man felt carefully in his pocket, and presently drew out a small
+object done up in paper. "Yes, I have it. The price was to be
+twenty-five hundred francs."
+
+"That is correct," remarked the detective. "Give it to me."
+
+Seltz drew back his hand. "I want the money first, and I cannot deliver
+it to any one but Dr. Hartmann."
+
+"Dr. Hartmann is in the next room," said Duvall, with a pleasant smile.
+"He has the money all ready for you. I will call him. But first, let me
+see if you have really secured what we want." He held out his hand.
+"Don't be afraid," he said. "I shall not leave the room. The box will
+not be out of your sight."
+
+Seltz appeared to consider the matter for a brief moment, but the
+detective's manner reassured him. He extended the package toward Duvall.
+"It is there, all right," he laughed, softly. "And a hard time I had
+getting it."
+
+Without making any comment, Duvall took the package, quickly tore off
+the coarse paper wrappings, and saw inside a small round ivory box, its
+top ornamented with a number of small pearls, arranged in a circular
+design about its circumference. He glanced swiftly at it, crushed the
+paper into his pocket, then started toward the door at the rear.
+
+"Where are you going?" demanded Seltz, harshly, his hand going toward
+his pocket, as though for a weapon.
+
+"To call the doctor, my man," Duvall replied. "Don't excite yourself. He
+will be here in a moment, with your money." Without a moment's
+hesitation he crossed to the study door and tapped lightly upon it. As
+he did so, his back was toward Seltz, hence the latter did not see the
+swift movement, by which he conveyed the snuff box to the pocket of his
+waistcoat. When, after a few moments' delay, Dr. Hartmann appeared on
+the threshold, Duvall's hands were both quite empty.
+
+As the doctor entered the room, the detective gave a quick nod toward
+Seltz. "My man," he remarked, in a low tone. "He seems to be rather bad,
+this morning;" then aloud, "Oscar, this is Doctor Hartmann."
+
+Seltz bowed, then stood uncomfortably, shifting his weight from one foot
+to the other as the doctor bent upon him a searching glance. "Sit down,
+my good fellow," the latter presently remarked, as he took a chair.
+
+"I--I don't think I had better, sir," he stammered. "I am in somewhat of
+a hurry--"
+
+The doctor interrupted him, in a soothing voice. "There, there. Sit
+down. I want to talk to you."
+
+Seltz glanced helplessly toward Duvall, apparently somewhat confused by
+the reception which Dr. Hartmann had accorded him. It was not entirely
+what he had expected.
+
+"I have explained everything to the doctor," remarked Duvall hastily.
+"He understands about the money you requested." He looked significantly
+at Dr. Hartmann.
+
+"Then I hope the matter can be settled at once," said Seltz, apparently
+much relieved. He made no movement to sit down, but continued to look
+expectantly at Dr. Hartmann.
+
+The latter nodded in a grave and reassuring way. "Give yourself no
+uneasiness, my man. Everything will be satisfactorily arranged.
+Meanwhile, sit down, if you please, and tell me something about
+yourself. I understand you have been greatly worried, of late. Not quite
+yourself--let us say."
+
+Seltz looked at him in blank amazement. "I haven't been worried by
+anything, except the business which brought me here. I want my money--"
+
+"Exactly--exactly," the doctor assented, in a soothing voice. "You shall
+have your money in due time. I promise you that. But first sit down and
+let us have a little chat."
+
+Seltz sat down, helplessly. Apparently he was at a loss as to just what
+to say next. The doctor had told him that the money he expected would be
+forthcoming--he resigned himself in patience to await the latter's
+pleasure. For a moment he glanced at Duvall, however. "You should not
+have taken it from me," he said, peevishly.
+
+Duvall looked quickly at Dr. Hartmann. The latter at once spoke up.
+"Give the matter no further thought, my man," he said, gravely. "I will
+see that you are fairly treated. But before we go ahead, I want you to
+tell me more about yourself--your life--your amusements--"
+
+"What the devil have my amusements got to do with the matter?" exclaimed
+Seltz, his voice trembling with anger. "I tell you I want my money."
+
+"And I tell you you shall have it. But, now, I insist that you let the
+matter drop for the present and answer my questions, otherwise I can do
+nothing to help you."
+
+The remark quieted Seltz somewhat. He was, after all, in a peculiar
+position. The snuff box was gone. He cursed his stupidity in having let
+it pass out of his possession before the price agreed upon for its
+delivery had been forthcoming. That Dr. Hartmann did not question the
+payment of the money, however, was reassuring. He determined to answer
+as well as he could whatever questions the doctor might see fit to ask
+him.
+
+The latter continued to examine his supposed patient with a shrewdly
+professional air. "How old are you, my man?" he suddenly inquired.
+
+"Thirty-six."
+
+"Do you drink?"
+
+"Yes--I--I drink occasionally."
+
+"Use any drugs?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Appetite good?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Sleep well?"
+
+"Yes--pretty well."
+
+"Have you had any shock, recently. Has anything happened to make you
+nervous, or excitable?"
+
+Seltz glanced nervously from Duvall to the doctor and back again. What,
+he wondered, was the purpose of this examination? Was Dr. Hartmann
+trying to lead him into damaging admissions concerning the method he had
+employed to secure the snuff box? He scowled, then suddenly spoke. "It's
+none of your affair, is it? if I have."
+
+"Oscar!" said Duvall, in a tone of remonstrance. "Don't speak to the
+doctor in that way."
+
+"Oscar!" The man turned on the detective angrily. "Look here--you took
+that--that--" he hesitated, fearful that some trap had been set for
+him--"that article away from me--now see that I get my money."
+
+The doctor glanced at Duvall. "He seems to be possessed with the one
+idea," he remarked, _sotto voce_, then turned to Seltz again. "My good
+man, I have already assured you that Mr. Brooks and myself will see that
+you get your money. What more do you want?"
+
+"I want the money," Seltz cried, losing his patience, "and I want it
+quick." He sprang from his chair, and his hand shot toward his pocket,
+whence it reappeared in a moment with a revolver. "No more of this
+nonsense, now. I want the cash."
+
+The doctor, who had also sprung to his feet, started toward the angry
+barber with outstretched hands. Seltz whirled on him, the revolver
+pointed directly at Hartmann's head. "Keep off," he cried. In his
+excitement he had forgotten Duvall, who at once seized him from behind.
+"Look out, Doctor," he cried, as he threw his arm about the fellow's
+neck and slowly throttled him. "He's gone quite insane--dangerous--take
+away the revolver."
+
+As he spoke, he tightened his arm about Seltz's throat until the latter
+gasped for breath. The revolver fell from his nerveless grasp--he
+clutched at the detective's arm and tried to tear it from his throat,
+all the while groaning and sputtering at a great rate.
+
+"Hopelessly insane, I fear," said the doctor, as he picked up the fallen
+revolver. "You had best take him away at once."
+
+"But, Doctor, I can't do anything with him in this violent state. Can't
+you give him something to quiet him?"
+
+"Nothing but a hypodermic. He wouldn't swallow a drug, I fear."
+
+"Then give him a hypodermic at once. I've got to get him away from here,
+somehow." He tightened his hold on Seltz's throat as the latter
+struggled furiously, trying his best to get away. Luckily for Duvall,
+his adversary was a man of only moderate strength, but he struggled like
+the madman the doctor supposed him to be, trying in vain to speak. The
+detective's arm, however, tightly wound about his throat, effectually
+prevented his cries from becoming intelligible.
+
+"I'm so sorry, Doctor," Duvall went on, as Hartmann prepared his
+hypodermic needle and approaching the struggling man, took hold of one
+of his arms and bared it with a quick motion. "I wouldn't have subjected
+you to all this annoyance for anything. The poor fellow has been getting
+worse for days, but I had no idea, when he left me this morning, that he
+would be like this."
+
+"It frequently happens," the doctor remarked, as he pressed the syringe
+into the man's forearm and then withdrew it quickly. "There--he'll soon
+be all right now. Just hold him there for a few moments longer, Mr.
+Brooks and he'll be sleeping like a child."
+
+Even as he spoke, the struggles of the man in Duvall's arms became less
+violent--his efforts to cry out less vigorous. "It's a sad case," the
+detective remarked. "I am very much afraid that he must be sent to an
+asylum."
+
+"Undoubtedly the best place for him, my dear sir," remarked Hartmann,
+dryly. "I see your cab is waiting, outside. As soon as the man is quiet,
+I will have one of my attendants help you to carry him to it." He went
+over to Seltz, who was now struggling faintly, and felt his pulse. "He
+is quite harmless now," he observed, looking keenly into the man's face.
+"I will call one of my men." He went to the wall and pressed an electric
+button.
+
+Duvall allowed the limp body of the barber to slip softly into a chair.
+"Poor Oscar!" he said, musingly, looking down at the huddled-up figure.
+"What a pity! Such a faithful fellow, too!" He turned to Hartmann. "I
+feel almost as though I had lost an old friend."
+
+The doctor smiled. "Rather a dangerous one, I should say," he remarked,
+as he glanced at the revolver on the table. "You will want this, I
+suppose."
+
+Duvall took the revolver and thrust it into his pocket. "Might as well
+take it along, I suppose, doctor. Now about my bill--do I owe you
+anything in addition to the fee I paid you on my arrival?" He felt for
+his pocketbook.
+
+"Nothing, my dear sir." The doctor smiled. "I feel that in accepting
+your fee I am robbing you." He drew the note from his pocket, but Duvall
+waved it aside.
+
+"I insist, my dear sir. You have given me your valuable time, at least,
+even if you could do this poor fellow no good." He paused, as an
+attendant in a gray uniform entered the room.
+
+"Max," said the doctor, addressing the man, "help this gentleman put his
+friend into the cab."
+
+The man came forward, and he and Duvall picked up the limp figure of
+Seltz, who was now sleeping soundly. In a few moments they had
+transferred him to the cab outside.
+
+As they left the house, Duvall saw Grace standing near the door, her
+face pale, her eyes seeking his. He avoided her glances, making no sign
+that he recognized her. The doctor, somewhat annoyed, requested her,
+with elaborate but firm politeness, to withdraw. She did so, without
+looking back, but her heart was beating until it shook her whole body,
+and she longed to run to her husband and drive off with him, in spite of
+the doctor's presence. Somehow she felt that the necessity which had
+kept her a prisoner in this house no longer existed--that Richard had
+succeeded in recovering the ivory snuff box, and would soon send her
+word to join him, so that they might return to Paris together. She went
+to her room, ordered some luncheon brought to her, and sat down to await
+his message.
+
+Meanwhile, Duvall, with Seltz beside him, drove rapidly away from the
+house, his arm about the man's unconscious figure. At the gate of the
+park he saw another cab waiting, and in a moment perceived that it
+contained Dufrenne, who in accordance with his instructions had been
+following Seltz. Duvall nodded to him, then pointed silently down the
+street. Dufrenne at once ordered his driver to follow. In a short time
+they had reached the Hotel Metropole, and Seltz, with the assistance of
+two of the porters, had been carried upstairs and placed on the bed.
+Duvall explained to the manager of the hotel that the man was a friend
+of his, who had been taken ill, and needed to sleep for a few hours. He
+also engaged the adjoining room at once, and thither he and Dufrenne
+presently repaired to examine the snuff box which, until now, had been
+reposing safely in the detective's waistcoat pocket.
+
+He drew it out, when they were alone, and silently handed it to
+Dufrenne. The little old Frenchman took one look at it, then threw up
+his hands with a cry of joy. "It is the Ambassador's snuff box. Heavens
+be praised!" he cried, as the tears coursed down his withered cheeks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+
+Richard Duvall looked at the tense figure, the agitated face of his
+companion, and once again a feeling of surprise swept over him, as he
+observed the little Frenchman's joy at the recovery of Monsieur de
+Grissac's snuff box.
+
+Throughout the exciting events of the morning, and of the night before,
+the detective had lost sight of the apparent insignificance of the
+object of their search; now that he for the first time saw it before
+him, his curiosity was once more aroused. Surely there must be something
+of vast interest about this apparently worthless bit of ivory, to make
+its theft the reason for a brutal murder, its recovery a matter of such
+extreme importance that Monsieur Lefevre should consider the honor of
+his country at stake.
+
+He took the box from Dufrenne's trembling fingers and examined it
+carefully. It was about two and a half inches in circumference, and
+quite shallow, not over half an inch in depth, in all. The ivory was old
+and yellow from use and time, and very thin and smooth. The lightness of
+the box surprised him--it seemed to weigh almost nothing, as he balanced
+it on the palm of his hand.
+
+The circular top of the box was curiously ornamented with a circle of
+small colorless pearls, of trifling value, set at regular intervals
+about the edge of the cover. Within this row of pearls was an
+inscription in Latin, carved in tiny letters in the ivory. From its
+first words, "_Pater noster_," Duvall saw that it was the Lord's Prayer.
+The letters extended around the circumference of the box in several
+concentric lines, or rings, inside of the ring of pearls. In the center
+of the box was a cross of ivory, carved so as to be slightly raised
+above its general surface. Beyond this, the box contained no other
+ornamentation.
+
+Along the front edge of the box Duvall noticed a small spring. He
+pressed it, in considerable excitement. Evidently the reason for the
+box's value must be within--some papers, no doubt, of extreme
+importance. He saw the cover of the box fly upward and glanced hastily
+inside. The box contained nothing but a few pinches of snuff.
+
+Duvall was almost tempted to laugh. The whole thing seemed so
+ridiculous--so utterly absurd. Absent-mindedly he tried a pinch of the
+snuff, inhaling it into his nostrils. It produced nothing more startling
+than a violent fit of sneezing. Undoubtedly Monsieur de Grissac had told
+the truth. He did use snuff.
+
+Closing the box, Duvall regarded it for a moment in silence, then looked
+at Dufrenne. "It isn't worth a hundred francs," he said.
+
+"The box?" answered the curio dealer, as he followed Duvall's glances.
+"No, monsieur--what you say is indeed true, yet I would not sell it for
+a hundred million."
+
+"But why? What is there about it that makes it so valuable? Surely you
+can tell me that, now that we have safely recovered it."
+
+"Alas, monsieur. I could not tell you, even if I knew, which I assure
+you I do not. I can only say that Monsieur Lefevre has told me that it
+holds within it the honor of my beloved country, and therefore I would
+not sell it for all the money in the world."
+
+Duvall was clearly puzzled. "Well," he said at length, as he thrust the
+box into his pocket, "there's evidently some mystery about the thing
+that I do not understand, but I suppose I shall, some day. Just at
+present our first duty is to return the box to Monsieur de Grissac."
+
+"You are right, monsieur, and at once. There is a train for Antwerp in
+half an hour. From there we can take the night boat to Harwich. Let us
+set out without further delay."
+
+"And that fellow in there?" remarked the detective with a grim laugh.
+"We've got to take him with us, you know. He'll be wanted in London for
+the murder of the man Noel."
+
+"Yes. That also is important." Dufrenne went into the adjoining room and
+stood looking at the sleeping barber. "But not so important as the
+return of the snuff box to Monsieur de Grissac."
+
+Duvall followed him, and lifting one of Seltz's arms, let it drop
+suddenly. It fell to his side, lifeless. "He's sleeping like a log. The
+doctor must have given him a pretty stiff dose. I don't see how we are
+going to travel with him in this condition."
+
+"Then we must leave him in the care of Monsieur Lefevre's other agents
+here in Brussels. We cannot delay an instant, on any account."
+
+"I do not agree with you, monsieur. There is one thing which is as
+important to me as the recovery of the snuff box could possibly be to
+Monsieur de Grissac, and that is, the safety of my wife."
+
+"Your wife?" Dufrenne stared at him in surprise.
+
+"Yes, monsieur, my wife. She is at present in Dr. Hartmann's house. How
+she came there, I do not know, but I imagine that our friend the Prefect
+sent her there, to assist, if occasion offered, in our work. In that he
+was wise; but for her presence, I fear my plan would have failed. Had
+Seltz rung the doorbell, and been admitted by any of the doctor's
+servants, I doubt if I should have been able to get the box from him
+before the latter had seen him. I should then have been obliged to use
+force, and the results might have been disastrous."
+
+"Yes, monsieur. I see that. The young lady at Dr. Hartmann's was sent by
+Monsieur Lefevre. His agents here have already informed me of that. But
+that she is your wife I did not know." He pondered for a moment,
+glancing at his watch. "It is a great pity. Delay may be most dangerous.
+Why do you not send her word to join you in Paris?"
+
+Duvall frowned, and began to walk about the room nervously. "A few
+hours' delay can make no difference," he presently said. "The box is
+perfectly safe in our hands. I am not, however, at all convinced that my
+wife is perfectly safe in the hands of Dr. Hartmann."
+
+"But he knows nothing?"
+
+"That I cannot say. So far he does not, I think, suspect that Seltz was
+the man he expected from London. If he had, he would never have let me
+leave his office. Luckily for us, Seltz was a stranger to him, and with
+the murder of Noel on his conscience, he feared to say anything to the
+doctor about the snuff box while I was present. I imagine he suspected a
+trap of some sort. But the doctor will discover, probably before the day
+is out, how he has been tricked. Then he will begin to investigate, and
+if he finds out that it was my wife who admitted the man, he may in his
+rage decide to retaliate upon her. I cannot think of leaving Brussels,
+without her. She must go with me. Upon that I am determined."
+
+Dufrenne looked grave, and a glint of anger came into his eyes. "The
+service of France, monsieur, is more important than your private
+affairs. I beg of you that you leave here at once."
+
+"But why, my friend? We can leave just as well in the morning. The box
+is safe." He felt his waistcoat pocket.
+
+"Safe, monsieur! Let me tell you that neither the box nor you yourself
+are safe for a moment, as long as you remain in Brussels. You would be
+in no greater danger, if you were carrying about with you a package of
+dynamite."
+
+"You are unduly nervous, monsieur," laughed Duvall, as he observed the
+Frenchman's look of terror. "I have every confidence in my ability to
+take care of myself. I must notify my wife to join me here as soon as
+possible."
+
+"How do you propose to do so?" inquired Dufrenne.
+
+For a moment Duvall was puzzled. "You could not safely call her up by
+telephone," the Frenchman continued. "For her to leave the sanatorium
+now, in response to such a call, would attract the doctor's suspicion at
+once. He is probably quite well aware of the fact that she knows no one
+in Brussels. If he should have her followed here, and see her meet you,
+he would at once conclude that there was something wrong about the whole
+affair. He is very well known here in Brussels, and very powerful.
+Undoubtedly he would have you both arrested on some pretext. Once you
+are searched, and the snuff box taken from you, all our work is lost."
+
+His earnest face, his frightened tones, disturbed the detective greatly.
+He saw the force of Dufrenne's arguments, yet the thought of leaving
+Grace to bear the brunt of Dr. Hartmann's anger was not to be considered
+for a moment. He looked out of the window in silence for a long time,
+trying to think out some plan that would insure Grace's safety. A gentle
+tapping at the door caused him to turn. He nodded to Dufrenne, who at
+once went to the door and opened it.
+
+The newcomer proved to be Lablanche, of the Prefect's office, whom
+Dufrenne had met earlier in the day. He bowed to Duvall, who knew him
+slightly, then glanced at the sleeping figure on the bed. "You have been
+successful, monsieur?" he inquired eagerly.
+
+Duvall nodded. "This fellow"--he indicated Seltz--"must be taken to
+London as soon as he is in condition to travel. We will leave the matter
+to you."
+
+"Excellent, monsieur. He shall be well taken care of. I presume that you
+and Monsieur Dufrenne will start at once."
+
+"I desire first, Monsieur Lablanche, to get my wife from the house of
+Dr. Hartmann."
+
+Lablanche gave a low whistle. "I should not advise you to attempt to
+communicate with her, monsieur."
+
+"You think her sudden departure would make Hartmann suspicious?"
+
+"Undoubtedly."
+
+"Then we must arrange for her to come to Brussels this afternoon on some
+pretext. If she only had some friends in the city--"
+
+"The American Minister, monsieur!" exclaimed Lablanche, suddenly. "He
+recommended her to Dr. Hartmann. It appears that he was at one time
+acquainted with your wife's people. Perhaps he would undertake to
+telephone to her. That would be entirely safe. But I beg of you,
+monsieur, do not let the Minister know what your wife's object in going
+to Dr. Hartmann's was. He knows her only as Miss Ellicott. He vouched
+for her to Hartmann. If he knew that he had been used, it would make him
+extremely angry."
+
+For a few moments Duvall stood in silent thought, then picking up his
+hat, went toward the door. "I will see the American Minister at once,"
+he said, as he went out. "Wait for me here, gentlemen. I will be back
+within an hour."
+
+Mr. Phelps, the United States Minister, was busy in his cabinet when
+Duvall was announced. He took the card from his secretary and glanced at
+it carelessly. The detective's name caused him to start. "Richard
+Duvall," he said aloud, to his secretary. "Surely it can't be the
+well-known detective, yet the name--" He regarded the card, his forehead
+wrinkled with thought. Duvall's distinguished position as the author of
+several works on the science of criminology was well known to him. "Show
+him in," he said, at length, and began to relight his cigar.
+
+Duvall was ushered in, and in a few moments had explained the object of
+his visit. "A young lady--a Miss Ellicott," he told the Minister, "had
+come to Brussels the night before, and had gone to Dr. Hartmann's as a
+patient." Mr. Phelps nodded, and added that he had met Miss Ellicott,
+and had used his influence to enable her to obtain Dr. Hartmann's
+services. "The doctor is a great friend of mine," the Minister remarked.
+"I regard him as one of the leading scientists of Europe."
+
+"Undoubtedly," the detective assented gravely. "I am not acquainted with
+him, myself. My business is with Miss Ellicott."
+
+"Then why have you come here?" asked Mr. Phelps, with some asperity.
+"The doctor's house is but a few moments' drive."
+
+"I know that. But unfortunately I am not acquainted with Miss Ellicott.
+She might resent my calling on her so unceremoniously. I had hoped that
+you might ask her to come here, so that I might be properly introduced
+to her."
+
+The Minister considered the matter carefully. Evidently he did not
+altogether like it. "You forget, Mr. Duvall," he said, finally, "that I
+myself do not know you. Furthermore I certainly have no desire to
+involve Miss Ellicott in any difficulties. I trust," he concluded,
+uneasily, "that she is not already so involved."
+
+"No." The detective shook his head. "Not yet. But unless I can have a
+few words with her in private, she soon may be. I am working in her
+interests. I am here to protect her from a grave danger." He went toward
+the Minister, and, taking a package of papers from his pocket, placed
+them in the latter's hand. "Here are my credentials. From them you will
+see that I am what I represent myself to be. I cannot undertake to
+explain to you now the reasons which prevent me from going to Miss
+Ellicott where she is. The mere fact that I am unknown to her will, I
+trust, prove sufficient. I wish to say to her but a few words. She will
+be very glad to hear them, I know."
+
+The Minister returned the papers to Duvall and glanced at the clock upon
+his desk. "We are having a few friends for dinner to-night, Mr. Duvall.
+I shall ask Miss Ellicott to join us. If you care to be one of the
+party--" He paused, looking at the other questioningly.
+
+"I shall be very glad indeed to accept, Mr. Phelps. I assure you that I
+would under no circumstances force myself upon you in this way, were it
+not for Miss Ellicott's good. And, in order that your other guests may
+not by any chance identify me, may I ask that you will introduce me as
+Mr. Brooks?"
+
+The Minister nodded. "Very well, if you wish it, Mr. Duvall. The whole
+affair strikes me as extremely unusual, and did I not know you to be a
+man of your word, I should have nothing to do with it. Under the
+circumstances, I will consent. At least, I feel sure that no harm can
+come to Miss Ellicott while she is under my roof."
+
+The detective murmured his thanks. "You will be doing Miss Ellicott a
+great service, my dear sir," he said. "And one thing more. When you
+telephone to her, asking her to come, kindly do not mention the fact
+that I have called." He took the Minister's hand and pressed it warmly.
+"Some day you will realize the dangers with which Miss Ellicott is being
+threatened."
+
+On his return to the Hotel Metropole, Duvall found everything as he had
+left it. Seltz was still sleeping soundly. Lablanche was reading a
+newspaper. Dufrenne was superintending the placing of Duvall's
+portmanteau, which had arrived from Paris in response to a hasty wire
+from him that morning. He had been without a change of linen since the
+day before, and the arrival of his baggage was gratifying.
+
+He informed Lablanche of his plans. "I shall dine at the United States
+Minister's," he informed them, "as Mr. Brooks. After dinner I shall ask
+Miss Ellicott's permission to escort her home. We will take a cab and
+drive to the railway station in time for the midnight train for Paris.
+On my arrival there, I shall give the snuff box to Monsieur Lefevre, who
+will see that it is safely returned to the Ambassador in London. You,
+Lablanche, can go to London with Seltz as soon as the latter is
+sufficiently recovered to travel--in the morning, let us say. You,
+Dufrenne, will no doubt prefer to return with me to Paris. In that
+event, kindly settle with the hotel people for these rooms, and join me
+at the railway station." He paused, opened his traveling case, and drew
+out a suit of evening clothes.
+
+Lablanche and Dufrenne withdrew into the adjoining room, where Seltz lay
+sleeping. The latter paused in the door as he went out. "Take care of
+the snuff box," he said, pointedly. "Remember--the honor of France."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+Grace Duvall went to her room, at Dr. Hartmann's, after her husband's
+departure, her feelings divided between her joy at his success--for she
+felt that his departure with Seltz meant success--and her sorrow at
+seeing him leave her, without so much as a single glance. She felt
+certain that she would hear from him during the course of the afternoon,
+and after eating her luncheon, sat down to read a book.
+
+The afternoon seemed interminable. When at last she could bear the
+inaction no longer, she rose, put on her hat, and started down the
+stairs. As she reached the hall, one of the attendants came up to her.
+"Someone wishes to speak to you at the telephone, Miss Ellicott," the
+woman said.
+
+Grace hurried to the 'phone, which was placed in a small recess half-way
+down the hall. The woman accompanied her, and stood near by as she took
+up the receiver. Clearly she was listening. Grace determined to speak
+with caution. It was undoubtedly Richard calling.
+
+When she at last made out that it was the American Minister, Mr. Phelps,
+who was speaking, she felt a keen sense of disappointment. She learned
+that he and his wife wished her to come in and dine with them. At first
+she refused, fearful least by going into Brussels she might miss some
+word from Richard. Mr. Phelps was insistent. They counted on her. He
+would not take a denial. The thought occurred to her, momentarily, that
+possibly Richard had taken this means of communicating with her. The
+idea seemed far fetched, and yet--she heard Mr. Phelps' voice, urging
+her to come, and rather half-heartedly she agreed to do so. "The United
+States Minister, Mr. Phelps, and his wife, have asked me to dine with
+them to-night," she said to the attendant. "Will you be so good as to
+have a cab here for me at half-past seven?"
+
+The woman bowed. "Certainly, mademoiselle," she said, and moved aside as
+Dr. Hartmann came along the hall.
+
+Grace thought that he looked both puzzled and angry. He assumed a
+pleasant expression as he saw her, however, and when he spoke she knew
+he had overheard what she had just said. "Dining at the Minister's
+to-night?" he remarked, as he paused for a moment. "A charming man, Mr.
+Phelps. I may look in later, myself, and bring you home." He passed on,
+his face at once resuming the angry scowl which Grace had marked as he
+approached her.
+
+She returned to her room, and began her toilette for the evening. The
+small trunk she had brought from Paris contained but a limited
+wardrobe--she had not expected anything in the way of social
+engagements, in this work that Monsieur Lefevre had assigned to her. A
+gown of black satin, however, trimmed with silver, she had put in at the
+last moment. It was very becoming--Richard had never seen her in it--she
+hoped he might come to her, before the evening was over. She half-made
+up her mind to speak to Mr. Phelps about it--to ask him to telephone to
+the hotels and attempt to locate Richard for her. Then the thought came
+to her that she had represented herself to the Minister as Miss
+Ellicott. Clearly it would never do to let Mr. Phelps know that she had
+deceived him.
+
+She arrived at the house early, and after being introduced to Mrs.
+Phelps, went to the latter's room to remove her wraps, and to talk over
+their mutual acquaintances. None of the other guests had as yet arrived.
+Grace talked to Mrs. Phelps as brightly as she could, but her mind was
+intent upon Richard, and she wondered when and how she would hear from
+him.
+
+Duvall, meanwhile, had been engaged in changing his clothes. When he at
+last put on the white waistcoat of his evening suit, he took up the one
+he had worn during the day and removed from it the ivory snuff box which
+had been the cause of his interrupted honeymoon. He glanced at the thing
+carelessly, before placing it in his waistcoat pocket, and as he did so,
+he fancied he detected a slight noise in the corridor without. In a
+moment he had thrown open the door which led to the hall. A
+man--evidently one of the hotel servants--was just rising from his
+knees, a small brush in one hand, a dust pan in the other.
+
+Duvall looked at him sharply. The man bowed, smiling in a stupid way,
+then began to withdraw, explaining that he was cleaning the hall, and
+hoping that he had not disturbed "monsieur." The detective closed the
+door, uncertain whether the man had been watching him or not. He
+remembered Dufrenne's warning, and realized that in going out, alone,
+this night, he ran some chances of having the snuff box taken from him.
+Of course, it was unlikely that Dr. Hartmann had any suspicions of
+him--yet it seemed advisable to put the box in as safe a place as
+possible, at least until he was once more across the French frontier.
+Yet where could he put it? To secrete the thing in his room was out of
+the question. The place might be searched, for all he knew, within half
+an hour of his leaving it. To conceal it successfully about his person
+seemed equally impossible. Where, indeed, could he hope to hide an
+object of this size, so as to defy a search, in case one should be made?
+His eyes suddenly fell upon the opera hat which he had taken from his
+portmanteau. He took it up and gazed at it with a smile, then quickly
+whipped out his knife and began, with great care, to detach the inner
+lining of the crown for a distance of perhaps three or four inches.
+Carefully drawing back the lining, he slipped the thin ivory box beneath
+it, and pushed it back into place. The lining was of heavy black silk,
+stiffened by the label of the maker which was glued to it. The space
+between it and the crown was considerable. When Duvall had once more
+fastened the silk in place with the aid of a needle and thread which he
+drew from his dressing case, it would have required a very careful
+inspection, indeed, to have discovered that there was anything unusual
+about the hat. Even the added weight of the box was not perceptible--its
+lightness prevented that. When he had completed his task, the detective
+suddenly threw open the door and glanced into the hall. It was vacant.
+Evidently he had not been observed.
+
+There were but four guests at the Minister's that night, of whom Duvall
+and Grace were two. The other two were a Mr. and Mrs. Haddon, friends of
+Mrs. Phelps, who were making a short stay in the Belgian capital on
+their way to their home in London.
+
+The little party, with the exception of Duvall, had already assembled in
+the drawing-room, awaiting his arrival. Grace found the Haddons charming
+and cultivated people who had traveled all over the world, owing to Mr.
+Haddon's connection with the English Consular service. Mr. Phelps had
+told Grace that they were expecting an American, a friend of his, whose
+name was Brooks, but she did not exhibit much interest in the matter.
+She was becoming more and more worried about Richard, and wondered if he
+could, by any possibility, have left Brussels without communicating with
+her. The thought seemed unbelievable.
+
+Dinner was set for eight. As the hour was striking, the butler announced
+Mr. Brooks. Grace glanced up carelessly as the latter entered, then her
+face went white, and she started forward with a glad cry. Mr. Phelps,
+who was mumbling an introduction, did not, luckily, observe her
+agitation. Duvall looked at her coolly. "Good-evening, Miss Ellicott,"
+he said, bowing. "I am delighted to meet you."
+
+The shock of the thing almost unnerved her. "Mr. Brooks," she managed to
+gasp, her face crimson. In a moment she became calmer, as she observed
+her husband's warning look, and began to chat with him nervously, as
+though he were the chance acquaintance he pretended to be. In a moment
+they all were seated about the dinner-table. He had been able to say to
+her as they left the drawing-room, however, unheard by the others, "I
+will ask permission to escort you home." She nodded, with a twinkle in
+her eyes. All her nervousness and anxiety had left her now, and in their
+place came a delicious feeling of happiness at Richard's presence, and a
+keen sense of adventure that made the blood tingle through her whole
+body. "Mr. Brooks!" She laughed inwardly at the thought that no one at
+the table but themselves knew that they were husband and wife. She
+proceeded to enter into the spirit of the occasion with huge delight,
+questioning Mr. Brooks about his business in Brussels with a keen sense
+of mischief.
+
+It was along toward the middle of dinner that one of the servants came
+in and handed Mr. Phelps a card. Duvall, engaged for the moment in
+conversation with Mrs. Haddon, did not perceive it, but Grace, who sat
+next to their host, experienced a sudden feeling of alarm. She observed
+the Minister's puzzled face, as he excused himself and left the table,
+and for an instant she thought of warning Richard. A moment's thought,
+however, convinced her of the uselessness of the attempt, nor did she
+indeed know what she could say to him. She remembered Dr. Hartmann's
+remark, that he might look in at the Minister's after dinner, to which
+she had attached no importance at the time. Now the thought came to her
+that the doctor was in the reception-room without, and that his coming,
+at this time, in the middle of dinner, meant that some disaster was
+impending.
+
+In a few moments Mr. Phelps reentered the room, followed by Dr.
+Hartmann. The latter was in evening clothes, and his face seemed
+peculiarly forbidding and grim.
+
+"Dr. Hartmann has consented to join us," he said to his wife.
+"Philippe"--he turned to the butler--"lay another place." Then he
+proceeded to introduce Hartmann to Mr. and Mrs. Haddon and to Duvall.
+
+The latter looked at the doctor calmly. "I think we have met before,
+Doctor," he said, in an even voice.
+
+"Quite so." Hartmann's face showed not a trace of emotion of any sort.
+"I hope your servant is better."
+
+"He's still asleep," laughed the detective, then explained to the
+others, in a few words, his adventure of the morning. He saw that the
+Minister was puzzled, but the latter said nothing, at the time, and in a
+few moments the matter was forgotten. Only Grace showed any signs of
+alarm--Duvall went calmly on with his dinner as though nothing had
+happened. He spoke to her only occasionally and then addressed her with
+the formal politeness of a total stranger.
+
+Dr. Hartmann was observing him intently under cover of a spirited
+conversation with Mrs. Phelps. It was clear to Grace that he could not
+quite understand why Duvall, or Brooks, as he supposed him to be, was
+dining here at the Minister's.
+
+It was quite late when the party rose from the table, and, a little
+while later, Grace, anxious to get away from the place, and be alone
+with Richard, announced that she must return home. "Mr. Brooks has
+kindly offered to escort me," she said, quickly, fearful that Dr.
+Hartmann might suggest that she return with him.
+
+The latter smiled coldly, his eyes fixed on her with a gleam of
+suspicion. "I think I shall be going myself," he said, as he took leave
+of the remainder of the party.
+
+As they reached the sidewalk, Duvall observed the taxicab he had ordered
+to be in readiness, standing in front of the door. He helped Grace
+inside, then turned in some hesitation to the chauffeur. He dared not
+tell the fellow to drive to the railway station, since Hartmann, who
+stood beside the cab chatting with Grace, would inevitably hear him. He
+therefore instructed the man to go to Dr. Hartmann's with the intention
+of countermanding the order a little later, as soon as they had got out
+of earshot of the house. He threw open the door, entered the cab, and
+was about to pull the door shut after him when he felt his wrist seized
+from behind in a powerful grasp, and before he realized what had
+happened, Dr. Hartmann had stepped into the cab and closed the door. The
+chauffeur at once started off at a great rate.
+
+"I'm sure, Mr. Brooks," said the doctor, suavely, as he sat down in the
+forward seat, his right hand still grasping Duvall's wrist, "that you
+will not mind taking me home with you. It is a long walk, and I fear
+there are no other taxicabs in sight."
+
+Duvall looked at him sternly, then attempted to draw away his hand.
+"What do you mean, monsieur," he asked, harshly, "by detaining me in
+this manner?" He again tried to free his wrist, but the doctor was too
+strong for him.
+
+Hartmann smiled pleasantly. "I feared, Mr. Brooks," he said, "that you
+might be tempted to use the revolver which you have in the pocket of
+your coat." He reached over quickly with his other hand and drew the
+revolver from the detective's pocket.
+
+Grace, through all this, had said absolutely nothing. She realized how
+fatal any interruption by herself might be. She did not know of her
+husband's intention to leave Brussels that night. She had heard him
+order the chauffeur to drive to the sanatorium. Perhaps he wished her to
+return there. In that event, it was imperative that Dr. Hartmann should
+not know that the supposed Mr. Brooks and herself were anything but the
+most chance acquaintances.
+
+"Doctor," she cried out, "what are you doing?"
+
+"It seems that Dr. Hartmann has suddenly lost his senses, Miss
+Ellicott," exclaimed Duvall angrily.
+
+"Quite so, my friend," said the doctor, sarcastically. "Just as our poor
+friend Seltz lost his. Don't try anything like that," he snarled,
+suddenly, as Duvall attempted to release his arm with a sudden twist. "I
+have a few questions I desire to ask you, Mr. Brooks."
+
+"Questions? What are they?"
+
+"I cannot possibly ask them here, in the presence of Miss Ellicott.
+Perhaps you will oblige me by stepping into my office for a few moments
+when we arrive at our destination."
+
+"I can spare you five minutes," said Duvall, sullenly. He could not help
+remembering Dufrenne's advice, and regretted bitterly that he had not
+followed it. He had been prepared for almost any contingency. As he left
+the Minister's house, his hand clutched a revolver in the pocket of his
+coat. There seemed no way in which Hartmann could prevent him from
+taking Grace to the railway station. He felt so sure of this that he
+became overconfident. One moment only had he been off guard--the moment
+when, with his back to Hartmann, he had stepped into the cab. And the
+latter, seizing upon that instant's slip, had turned the tables upon him
+so completely that he cursed himself in his chagrin. Here he was, headed
+for Dr. Hartmann's house, on the outskirts of the town. Once there, the
+latter's attendants could easily overpower him and carry him into the
+place helpless. There seemed no possible means of escape. He determined
+to brazen the matter out, and meet Hartmann on his own ground.
+Resistance would at this juncture be useless. He congratulated himself
+that Grace had, by her cleverness, not shown her hand. The doctor
+evidently did not suspect, at least not very strongly, that she was
+anything other than she seemed--a patient. He knew he would be searched,
+and hoped that the place of concealment of the snuff box would defy even
+Hartmann. After that, he would demand his release, and rely upon Mr.
+Phelps to get it for him.
+
+He lifted his head and saw that they were at the house. Without
+loosening his hold upon Duvall's arm, the doctor called to the
+chauffeur, "Ring the bell." The latter did so. In a moment, a servant
+appeared. "Send Max and Rudolph here," cried Hartmann, and presently two
+husky young Germans came out of the house. Hartmann spoke a few quick
+words to them in their own language and they ranged themselves on either
+side of the cab door. Then the doctor threw it open, and released the
+detective's wrist. "Get out, if you please, Mr. Brooks," he said, with a
+sardonic smile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+When Grace arrived at Dr. Hartmann's that night, she was so utterly
+astonished by the course which events had taken that she was scarcely
+able to think. What to do she could not even guess. Here was her
+husband, the man she loved, in the power of Dr. Hartmann, and there
+seemed nothing whatever that she could do to help him. Yet how could she
+go quietly to her room, when Richard might be in the gravest danger? On
+the other hand, to attempt any resistance, to let the doctor know, by
+any action on her part, that she and Duvall were working in conjunction,
+would result in nothing but further disaster. The thought flashed
+through her mind that by preserving her character of a patient, she
+might, in the morning, communicate with Mr. Phelps, and secure his
+assistance in obtaining Richard's freedom.
+
+These considerations came and went in the few seconds required for the
+little party to enter the hall. Her husband went first. Dr. Hartmann
+stood aside to permit her to follow him. Duvall turned as she passed
+through the door, and she heard him whisper, in a voice scarcely
+audible, "Say nothing." It was the cue she desired. She extended her
+hand as the doctor came in. "Good-night, Mr. Brooks," she said, quite
+calmly. "Thank you for bringing me home. I hope we shall meet again,
+sometime."
+
+"I hope so," Duvall remarked, indifferently, then turned to the doctor.
+"Now, monsieur, let us have done with this farce as quickly as possible.
+I have no time to waste."
+
+"Nor have I. Good-night, Miss Ellicott." He nodded pleasantly to Grace
+as she ascended the stairs, then addressed one of the two attendants.
+"Where is Herr Mayer?" he asked.
+
+"He is waiting for you in the laboratory, Herr Doctor," the man replied.
+
+"Good! This way, if you please." He motioned down the hall. "Be so good,
+Mr. Brooks, as to proceed at once."
+
+Duvall started off down the hall in no pleasant frame of mind. The whole
+affair had been bungled by his stupidity. He passed through the door
+which Hartmann presently opened at the end of the hall, and found
+himself in a long narrow passage, lit by a single electric lamp.
+Hartmann closed the door carefully behind him, and came on down the
+corridor, his footsteps echoing loudly on the concrete floor.
+
+At the end of the corridor a second door confronted them. It was opened
+by a tall blond man, with a reddish mustache and brilliant blue eyes. "I
+heard you coming," he said, nodding to Hartmann, then looked keenly at
+Duvall. "So this is the fellow, eh? Where shall we take him?"
+
+The doctor pointed to an iron door which faced that by which they had
+entered. Between the two doors ran a narrow corridor, with an iron
+staircase to the left, leading upward. "In here," he said, shortly, and
+going to the door, opened it with a key which he drew from his pocket.
+
+Again Duvall cursed his stupidity. For a moment, thoughts of resistance
+crossed his mind but he at once realized the hopelessness of it, and
+followed the doctor into the room. The tall man brought up the rear,
+closing the door silently after him.
+
+The room was pitch dark. In a moment, however, Hartmann had pressed an
+electric button, and a brilliant light flooded the place. Duvall looked
+about him curiously, and in that fleeting glance saw that the room was
+without windows of any kind, and that the walls, smooth and white,
+contained no openings whatever, except the door by which they had
+entered. The floor, as he could tell by its feel under his feet, was of
+cement. The room was bare of furniture, but he perceived a number of
+boxes and packing cases standing about the walls.
+
+The instant the door was closed, Hartmann sprang at the detective and
+grasped his two wrists. The latter had always been considered a powerful
+man, but the arms and shoulders of the doctor were those of a Hercules.
+"Search him, Mayer," he said, as he pinned Duvall's wrists together in
+his iron grip.
+
+The man addressed as Mayer at once began a systematic search of Duvall's
+person. With deft fingers he explored his pockets, felt the linings of
+his clothing, tore through the contents of his pocketbook. The opera hat
+had fallen to the floor, in the short struggle which ensued when the
+detective found himself in Hartmann's grasp. Mayer picked it up, glanced
+at it carelessly, then threw it angrily into a corner, where it rolled
+unobserved, into the shadow of a large box.
+
+"There is nothing here," he said, in a voice of keen disappointment. "He
+must have hidden it elsewhere."
+
+"In his room at the hotel, perhaps--his portmanteau," the doctor said,
+eagerly, releasing Duvall's hands and throwing him to one side with some
+violence.
+
+Mayer looked grave. "I have searched everything thoroughly. It is not
+there."
+
+The doctor muttered an oath. "The other--the old Frenchman?"
+
+"He was arrested to-night on a charge of irregularity in his passport.
+Nothing discovered. He will be released in the morning."
+
+"_Teufel!_" The doctor swore excitedly in German. "Then the other
+one--the one who was in charge of Seltz--he must have it."
+
+"No. He also has been searched, with the same results."
+
+"May I ask what you are looking for?" asked Duvall, calmly.
+
+"You know, well enough, Duvall," exclaimed Mayer, turning on him. "Oh,
+yes--I know your name. The examination of your baggage showed that. As
+soon as I wired to London and discovered that the man Seltz had left
+there last night, I knew how we had been fooled. One of our men saw the
+snuff box in your possession just before you left the hotel to go to the
+house of Mr. Phelps. What have you done with it?"
+
+Duvall regarded his questioner calmly. "I do not know what you are
+talking about, gentlemen. I have no snuff box, nor do I use tobacco in
+that form. And now, if you have concluded this outrage upon an American
+citizen, perhaps you will let me return quietly to my hotel. If you do
+not, I promise you you shall pay heavily for it."
+
+His words, for the moment, seemed to disconcert the two men. Then Mayer
+laughed, "Nothing but bluff, young man--American bluff. I know who you
+are. You followed Seltz here from London, and got the snuff box from him
+by a trick. Now tell us where it is."
+
+The detective smiled. "I do not know what you are talking about," he
+said, quietly.
+
+Dr. Hartmann growled out an oath. "Take off his things, Mayer. He may
+have the box in his clothing somewhere--or the heel of his boot. I'll
+get a dressing-gown, from above." He left the room, and Duvall heard him
+clanking up the iron staircase.
+
+"If you insist on removing my clothes," he said to Mayer, "I prefer to
+do so myself." He rapidly stripped off his evening suit and shoes, and
+threw them upon the floor.
+
+The man gathered them up, feeling each article carefully, and testing
+the heels of the boots with a knife which he drew from his pocket. He
+appeared greatly disappointed at not finding the object of his search.
+Then he again examined Duvall, feeling his person from head to toe with
+great care. He had just finished when the doctor returned with a long
+gray woolen dressing gown, which he tossed to the detective.
+
+"He's hidden it somewhere. He hasn't got it with him," Mayer exclaimed,
+angrily.
+
+"Take him to the small bedroom in the west wing," said the doctor.
+"We'll get it out of him, before we're through. You can leave the
+clothes in the laboratory." He cast his eye about the room to see that
+nothing had been forgotten. Duvall trembled, thinking of the hat lying
+unseen behind the packing case in the corner. Hartmann, however, did not
+observe it. Without saying anything further he threw open the door, and
+they all passed into the little hall.
+
+From there, Duvall was led up the iron staircase to the floor above, and
+found himself in a large room which he took to be the doctor's
+laboratory. It was dimly lit by means of a reading-lamp. He had a
+confused vision of a number of scientific appliances, bulking huge and
+forbidding in the shadows, and then was conducted through a glass door
+and along a corridor similar to the one through which he and the doctor
+had so recently passed on the floor below. He judged, from the direction
+they were taking, that it was directly above the lower passageway, and
+led back to the main part of the house.
+
+In this he soon found that he was correct. A door at the end of the
+corridor gave entrance to the upper central hall of the main building.
+He was led off to the right, catching a momentary glimpse of a woman
+attendant sitting in a chair near the head of the stairs as he passed.
+In a few moments Hartmann paused before a door, threw it open, and
+turned on the lights. The detective saw before him a well-furnished
+bedroom, with two large windows, and another door, which he later found
+gave entrance to a bathroom. The dark shadows against the night light
+without showed him at once that the windows were barred.
+
+He turned to the two men. "You do not intend to release me then?" he
+asked, angrily.
+
+Hartmann laughed. "You will be quite comfortable here, my friend. I am
+sure that a few days of complete rest will benefit your condition
+greatly. I imagine your trouble is merely a temporary affliction--a loss
+of memory, let us say, an inability to recall your name. We'll soon have
+you all right again. You have only to inform me where you have placed
+the snuff box which you stole from my messenger this morning, and I
+shall know that a complete cure has been effected. If your friends are
+alarmed about you, it will be quite sufficient to tell them that you are
+in my care. Mr. Phelps, for instance, has complete confidence in my
+ability. I will make it a point to explain matters to him at once. Just
+a trifling ailment, a disordered condition of the brain cells. A week
+should set you right again. If there is anything you wish, the
+attendants will get it for you. Your clothes will be sent up from the
+hotel in the morning. Make yourself quite at home, I beg of you."
+
+He turned away, with a sardonic smile, and Duvall heard the key turn in
+the door as it closed. He glanced at the barred windows, the door,
+half-open, leading to the bathroom, and realized that there was not the
+slightest hope of escape. Dr. Hartmann evidently intended to keep him a
+prisoner until he disclosed the whereabouts of the snuff box. He smiled
+grimly as he threw himself upon the bed. It seemed likely that his stay
+would be a long one.
+
+After a time he began to think of Grace. How cleverly she had carried
+out her part! It was clear that the doctor did not suspect her, or, if
+he did, was unable to see where his suspicions led. How strange it
+seemed to realize that she, his wife, lay somewhere under the same roof
+with him--possibly even in the very next room! But thirty-six hours had
+passed since their wedding and their sudden and unexpected parting.
+During that time, he had seen Grace but twice, once, at Hartmann's
+office, in the morning; the second time, at the Minister's that night.
+How he had longed to touch her hand, to put his arms about her, to feel
+his lips on hers. Yet as matters stood, the chances of their seeing each
+other in the near future seemed particularly remote. He wondered if
+Hartmann would keep him a prisoner in his room. The morning, of course,
+would tell. He switched off the lights, got into bed, and after a long
+time fell into a broken sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+
+It was late in the afternoon, when Dr. Hartmann, through his man Mayer,
+discovered that Seltz had left London, and should have appeared at his
+office with the snuff box during the forenoon. A description of Seltz,
+together with a curious feeling of uneasiness which he felt after the
+departure of the man who had introduced himself as Mr. Brooks, caused
+him to conclude that he had been made the victim of a clever trick, and
+one which only his professional enthusiasm had made possible.
+
+He at once set to work, through Mayer and his men, to locate Brooks.
+This was done, without difficulty, at the Hotel Metropole. While the
+doctor followed the latter to the Minister's, firm in his belief that he
+carried the snuff box with him, Mayer had arranged through certain
+connections with the Belgian police, to have Dufrenne arrested and
+placed in confinement over night on a trumped-up charge; Seltz
+liberated, and Lablanche held on a pretense of being concerned in the
+theft from the latter of a valuable package. A thorough search of
+Duvall's baggage--Dufrenne, it seemed, had none--disclosed nothing,
+except certain documents setting forth that the latter was Richard
+Duvall, an American citizen. It was these papers, in fact, which Duvall
+had shown to Mr. Phelps earlier in the day.
+
+There was nothing to indicate to Hartmann that Duvall was acting in the
+interests of the French secret police, but the doctor suspected it,
+knowing as he did that the recovery of Monsieur de Grissac's snuff box
+would become at once a matter of the utmost moment to Lefevre and his
+men. Curiously enough, his momentary suspicions of Grace had largely
+disappeared. There was nothing to connect her with Duvall. He did not
+know that it was she who had opened the door and admitted Seltz to his
+house earlier in the day--he thought that Duvall had done this himself.
+Grace's manner, her conduct during the ride in the cab from the
+Minister's house, had shown him nothing. Still, he felt that she would
+bear watching and made his plans accordingly.
+
+The sun was shining through the windows of Duvall's room when he awoke
+the next morning. For a brief space he was unable to recognize his
+surroundings, then the sequence of events came to him with a rush. He
+was conscious of a knocking at the door. He sprang up and opened it.
+Outside stood one of the men attendants whom he had seen the night
+before, with the portmanteau containing his clothes. The man placed the
+bag upon a chair, and opened it, then withdrew.
+
+Duvall proceeded at once to dress. He had just finished when the
+attendant returned with an elaborate breakfast on a tray. He ate
+heartily. Evidently the doctor had no intention of starving him. Upon
+the table he observed his watch and seals, which he had worn with his
+evening clothes the night before. He looked at the watch and saw, to his
+astonishment, that it was after nine o'clock.
+
+Now that he was dressed, he wondered what he should do with himself. It
+did not occur to him that the doctor would do other than keep him
+confined to his room, yet the man who had brought the breakfast things
+had not apparently locked the door when he went out.
+
+Without any clear idea of what he intended to do, Duvall went to the
+door and tried it. To his surprise, he found it unlocked, and in a
+moment he had passed out into the hall.
+
+The house seemed deserted. Even the attendant who had sat at the head of
+the stairs the night before was no longer in evidence. He went down to
+the lower floor without seeing any one. As he passed the door of the
+doctor's office, on his way to the entrance, he heard it open, and Dr.
+Hartmann looked out at him with a grim smile. "Ah--going for a stroll, I
+see, Mr. Duvall," he said, pleasantly enough. "It's a fine morning. I
+hope you enjoy it."
+
+Duvall made no reply. He appreciated fully that Hartmann was only making
+fun of him, and realized his helplessness.
+
+Once outside the door, he paused for a moment to drink in the beauty of
+the morning. Straight ahead of him stretched the driveway which led to
+the main road. The ornamental iron gate stood invitingly open. He went
+toward it, unconsciously pondering upon his situation and what he could
+do, if anything, to escape from it. At the gate he paused, looking about
+carefully to see whether his movements were observed. There appeared to
+be no one near him, although along one of the paths to the right of the
+house, he saw several persons walking, whom he judged to be inmates of
+the place. One or two others sat on benches among the shrubbery,
+reading. None of them seemed to take the least interest in his
+movements.
+
+An empty cab passed slowly, the driver on the lookout for a fare. For a
+moment the detective thought of escape, his hand came up with a jerk to
+signal the cabman, then suddenly he let it fall with an exclamation of
+dismay. He could not escape--he did not dare attempt it, knowing that
+the snuff box, which had already caused him so much anxiety and trouble,
+lay in a corner of the room beneath the doctor's laboratory. First he
+must get that, before he could attempt to escape. He turned slowly back
+toward the house.
+
+Then suddenly another doubt assailed him. Had not Dr. Hartmann allowed
+him this liberty merely to see whether or not he would take advantage of
+it? Would the latter conclude, now that he had failed to do so, that the
+snuff box was hidden somewhere on the premises? The thought disturbed
+him greatly.
+
+Still another consideration occurred to him. If he made any attempt to
+recover the box, would his doing so not show his captors at once that
+they had overlooked the hat--a chance, indeed, in a thousand? The first
+move he might make toward the room under the laboratory, would arouse
+Hartmann's suspicions, a search would be made and the hat and its
+precious contents discovered.
+
+Certainly he was tied hand and foot. He dared not leave the place,
+without taking the snuff box with him; he dared not attempt to recover
+it for fear its hiding place would thereby be disclosed. He was, he
+suddenly realized, as much a prisoner as though he were locked in a
+cell. And Grace?
+
+The thought of her caused him to glance about nervously, and in a moment
+he saw her coming toward him from the direction of the house. She
+appeared to be looking for him, yet when she saw him, she seemed in
+doubt as to what to do. Duvall went up to her. "Good-morning, Miss
+Ellicott," he said, in a voice clearly audible within the house, were
+any of the windows open. He fancied he detected Hartmann's dark face
+peering at him from the waiting-room.
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Brooks," she said, affecting great surprise at seeing
+him. "You are here still?"
+
+"Oh, yes." His tone was careless, but as he spoke he moved in a
+direction away from the house, and toward a small bench that stood
+beside the driveway. "Dr. Hartmann concluded that I needed
+treatment--I'm afflicted with loss of memory, it seems. Beautiful day,
+isn't it?"
+
+She murmured some response, waiting for him to speak again. Presently he
+judged the distance from the house sufficiently great. No one was near
+enough to possibly overhear them.
+
+"The snuff box is hidden--sewn inside of the false crown of my opera
+hat," he said, in a low voice. "It is in the room under the doctor's
+laboratory. He does not know it is there, and I don't dare try to get
+it, for fear he will find out. If you have a chance--" He paused.
+
+"I understand."
+
+"But be careful--very careful."
+
+"I will." They sat down upon the bench toward which they had been
+headed. "I had thought of seeing Mr. Phelps to-day, and asking him to
+have you released."
+
+"It would be useless," he said. "I cannot go without the snuff box."
+
+"Shall I send word to our friends in Brussels?" she asked.
+
+"How can you do that?"
+
+She explained the method, by means of the boy who drove the delivery
+wagon. He considered the matter carefully. "Let them know that I am
+here, and why I cannot escape. Tell them that the snuff box is safe--so
+far. Do not let them know where it is--I trust no one with that--except
+you, dear."
+
+The tenderness of his voice thrilled her. She longed to grasp his
+hand--to tell him of the love which filled her heart. Suddenly he spoke,
+quickly, warningly. "Be careful," he said. "We are being watched. That
+man Mayer is observing us with an opera glass, from a window of the
+house. Don't look at me that way. I shall leave you now. Let us meet
+during the afternoon." He rose, bowed to her carelessly, and strolled
+back toward the house, leaving her disconsolate upon the bench.
+
+He entered the hall aimlessly, not knowing what to do next. The
+situation was one which taxed his resources to the utmost. No case that
+he had encountered in his whole experience offered the slightest
+suggestion whereby he might hope to effect a solution of his present
+difficulties. Courage, resource, ingenuity seemed alike useless. He was
+helpless.
+
+Dr. Hartmann appeared in the hall as he entered it. "Come in, Mr.
+Duvall," he said, holding open the door of the office. "Suppose we have
+a little chat."
+
+For a moment the detective hesitated, then decided to meet the doctor's
+good nature in kind. "By all means," he replied. "You owe me some
+explanation of your conduct in keeping me here."
+
+"Keeping you here, Mr. Duvall? Surely you are mistaken. The gate is
+open." He waved his hand toward the lawn.
+
+"I have no desire to run away, like a criminal, Dr. Hartmann. When I go,
+I shall go in a dignified way, and take my belongings with me."
+
+"Your belongings!" The doctor seemed impressed with the remark. "So you
+have the snuff box hidden somewhere among them, have you?"
+
+Duvall began a hasty denial, but the doctor cut him short. "Absurd, Mr.
+Duvall," he exclaimed. "You would leave here quickly enough, if you
+could take the box with you. But where you have concealed it, I confess
+I cannot imagine. I have examined your things with the utmost care. It
+is not among them, of that I am certain. I gave you your liberty this
+morning, to see whether or not you would attempt to escape. Had you done
+so I should have known that the box was concealed somewhere in the city,
+or else in the hands of your confederates. Now I am convinced that it is
+here. I thought at one time that you might have given it to Miss
+Ellicott--I have an idea that there is something between you, although
+of that I am by no means certain. But I know that she hasn't it, for her
+belongings were searched with equal care, last night, while she slept.
+The thing is a mystery to me, Mr. Duvall, and I compliment you upon your
+ingenuity. Had you been as wise, yesterday, as you were clever, you
+would have left Brussels before I discovered the trick you had played on
+me. Why you did not do so--why you foolishly remained to dine at the
+house of Mr. Phelps, I confess I cannot see. It is beyond me. But all
+that is beside the case. You have the snuff box--at least you know where
+it is. Are you going to turn it over to me, or must I force you to do
+so?"
+
+Duvall listened to the doctor with an impassive face. "I know nothing
+about any snuff box," he returned, with a show of anger. "You are
+wasting your time, Dr. Hartmann. I have nothing more to say on the
+subject." He turned his back and gazed moodily out across the lawn.
+
+Hartmann regarded him with a scowl of anger. "I give you until to-night,
+Mr. Duvall, to do as I ask. After that, I shall be compelled to force
+you to do so."
+
+The detective shrugged his shoulders and turned to the door. "You use
+strong words, my friend. If any harm comes to me, my government will
+know how to deal with you." His threat did not seem to alarm the doctor
+particularly. "Do not forget, Mr. Duvall," he said, with an evil smile,
+"that while I know how to cure mental disorders, I also know how to
+create them. Good-morning."
+
+The grave threat in his words filled Duvall with uneasiness. What did
+Hartmann mean? Did he propose to feed him with drugs, cunningly
+concealed in his food, which would steal away his senses, and leave him
+a babbling child? The thought was terrifying. Yet he had until to-night.
+He decided to return to his room and think, hoping thus to evolve some
+plan which might prove a solution of his difficulties. In the afternoon
+he would communicate it to Grace, and she, in return, could send word to
+Dufrenne, so that the latter might cooeperate with him.
+
+He found everything in his room as he had left it, and, seating himself
+by the window, was soon plunged in deep thought. The arrival of one of
+the attendants with his luncheon some two hours later woke him from a
+maze of profitless scheming. The problem was as yet still unsolved.
+
+After luncheon, he decided to go down and have a talk with Grace. By
+keeping away from the house, and walking through the shrubbery, he hoped
+to be able to talk with her more freely. Much to his surprise, he found
+the door of his room once more locked. He sat down with a feeling of
+utter helplessness. The net was beginning to close about him.
+
+Dinner was brought in at seven, and with it a small bottle of claret. He
+made an excellent meal, in spite of his unhappy reflections. The claret
+proved a welcome addition to it. On the tray was also a cigar. Decidedly
+the doctor was thoughtful, he reflected grimly.
+
+Shortly after dinner he began to feel strangely drowsy. For a time he
+resisted the feeling--fought against it, but his eyelids seemed weighted
+with lead. Try as he would, he could not keep his eyes open. He threw up
+the window, gasping at the fresh air, but it had little effect. He
+rushed to the door, tried it, found it locked as he had expected, then
+groped toward the bed and fell heavily upon it, drunk with sleep. "It
+must have been the wine," he muttered to himself, and in another moment
+his muscles relaxed and he lay unconscious.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+When Richard Duvall once more opened his eyes, he saw nothing but a
+blinding glare of light, that hurt and bewildered him with its singular
+and brilliant intensity. He closed his eyes again at once, unable to
+bear the irritation which was thus caused him. It was not exactly pain
+that he felt, but an intense discomfort, such as one experiences when
+looking directly at the brilliant rays of the sun.
+
+After a few moments spent in futile attempts to cover his eyes with his
+hands, only to discover that his arms were tightly bound, he thought to
+secure relief by turning his face to one side, so that his vision might
+seek the soft darkness which seemed to lie on every side of him. In this
+effort he was equally unsuccessful. His head, his neck, his whole body,
+were rigid, immovable. He could not stir an inch in any direction.
+
+He spent a long time in useless speculation upon the meaning of the
+remarkable situation in which he now found himself. He felt no pain, no
+discomfort, except that which the brilliance of the light above him
+caused. He determined at length once more to open his eyes, in order to
+discover if possible its source.
+
+Even when his eyes were closed, he could see that the strange light
+burnt upon them. In a way it rendered his eyelids translucent--he was
+conscious of a dull pulsing redness through which shot a network of
+lines of fire. He opened his eyes slowly, cautiously, and looked upward.
+From some point above him, in what he judged must be the ceiling of the
+room, extended a beam of violet white light, cutting sharply through the
+darkness like the rays of a searchlight. At the opening in the ceiling
+through which it came, this beam was in diameter not more than two
+inches, but as it extended downward, it widened, taking the form of a
+long, thin, truncated cone, so that its width, where it impinged upon
+his face, was perhaps equal to twice that of a man's hand.
+
+The darkness of the room about him made the beam of light seem a
+tangible, material thing. Its brilliance was unwavering--it extended
+from the ceiling to the surface of his face with the solidity, almost,
+of some huge, glittering icicle. He felt as though, were his hands but
+free, he could brush it aside, fling it off bodily into the darkness.
+
+The effort of looking directly at the source of the light made his eyes
+smart with pain, but he found that by half-closing them, he could look
+off into the darkness, through the brilliant cone. In the pathway of its
+rays danced and tumbled innumerable dust specks--he knew then but for
+their presence, to afford the light a reflecting surface, its rays would
+be invisible to him.
+
+In color the light was not yellow, like sunlight, but had a cold
+violet-blue quality, more nearly resembling moonlight. Its intensity, as
+well as the shape of the light cone, made him conclude that it was being
+focused through a powerful lens, or projected by means of a brilliant
+reflector.
+
+He could imagine no possible reason for the situation in which he found
+himself. What the purpose of the beam of light was; why it thus focused
+upon his upturned face, he could not guess. He thought about it for many
+minutes, his eyes closed, his head straining restlessly toward the soft
+outer darkness. Presently there flashed into his mind Dr. Hartmann's
+words at their last meeting: "While I know how to cure mental disorders,
+I also know how to create them." The thought made him shudder. Was this,
+then, the explanation of his predicament? Somewhere he had read, not
+long before, a newspaper account of the investigations of certain
+Italian scientists, concerning the effect of the violet and ultra-violet
+light rays upon the cells of the brain. He could not recollect just what
+the conclusions had been, but he did remember that the newspaper article
+spoke of the popular superstition that moonlight could cause insanity.
+He knew Hartmann to be a scientist of vast ability and resource, and
+realized that back of the elaborate preparations he had evidently made
+must lie some sinister purpose.
+
+For what seemed an eternity he lay thinking, unable to come to any
+rational conclusion. The distressing effect of the light rays increased,
+rather than diminished, as his nerves became more and more unstrung. It
+seemed, even with, his eyes closed, that he could feel the _weight_ of
+the cone of light upon his face. The desire to escape from its searching
+glare became well-nigh irresistible. How long would this torture
+continue? He began to feel intensely tired and worn out and realized
+that could he but shut out the blinding brilliancy which enveloped him,
+he would sink exhausted to sleep. Sleep! He could no more sleep, under
+the present conditions, than he could fly to the moon. Then there came
+to his mind a recollection of a form of torture practised among the
+Chinese, the prevention of sleep. Prisoners, he had read, were confined
+in a cage, in brilliant sunlight, and prevented from sleeping by being
+prodded from without with spears. At the expiration of a week, he had
+read, the victim goes raving mad. Was this, then, Hartmann's intention?
+
+Whatever the man did, he knew he would adopt only such methods as would
+involve him in no damaging consequences. He might be kept in his present
+situation until insanity ensued, and Hartmann with his reputation as a
+physician, a scientist, could calmly deny any story he might tell,
+putting it down to the wanderings of a disordered brain. He realized the
+cunning of the man, his care to use no physical violence. Should he,
+Duvall, under the strain of the torture which he realized lay before
+him, consent to disclose the whereabouts of the ivory snuff box, in
+return for his liberty, what could he do, in retaliation? Hartmann would
+calmly deny his story, and would doubtless produce witnesses, such as
+Mayer, to prove that the detective came to him for treatment for some
+slight mental disorder, some lapse of memory and that the exposure to
+the light rays had been but part of his usual treatment. Clearly the
+doctor had covered his tracks most successfully.
+
+Throughout all these torturing thoughts, the figure of Grace came and
+went unceasingly. What would she do--what could she do, to aid him? He
+had warned her not to ask Mr. Phelps to take any steps looking to his
+release. He realized that were Hartmann to appear now, and give him his
+freedom, he would not dare to accept it. That the doctor might do this
+very thing was his greatest fear. If he should insist upon his leaving
+the place, what could he do, then, to recover Monsieur de Grissac's
+snuff box? He prayed fervently that Dufrenne and his companions might in
+some way work out a plan to set matters right.
+
+Presently he fell to thinking of the snuff box, and its safety. How
+fortunate it seemed, that the doctor and his man Mayer had overlooked
+the opera hat. He wondered if they had thought of it since? It was clear
+that they had not, else he would no longer be kept a prisoner. What was
+the room beneath the laboratory used for? Its appearance had suggested
+that it was not used at all--a mere lumber-room, a place for storing
+boxes and crates. And then there flashed into his mind the thought,
+where was he now? From the apparent distance of the ceiling, as shown by
+the beam of light, he concluded that he was lying on the floor, a
+conclusion which the hardness and coldness of the surface beneath him
+amply proved. Evidently it was a floor of stone, or cement, not one of
+wood. A certain sense of familiarity in his surroundings came over him.
+The faint radiance which was diffused about him by the light cone showed
+the walls before and on either side of him to be of uniform blackness,
+unrelieved by any suggestion of windows. He strove with all his power to
+pierce the shadowy gloom, to come upon some point of recognition, but
+the darkness baffled him.
+
+In one corner a huge shadow, bulking formless against the wall,
+suggested the packing case behind which his opera hat had been tossed by
+Mayer during the search the night before. The thought thrilled him with
+renewed hope. What more likely place, after all, for Hartmann's
+deviltries than this silent room beneath the laboratory? If he was lying
+there now, and chance of escape should come, he might even yet be able
+to take the missing snuff box with him.
+
+The hours dragged interminably. He was conscious of a keen feeling of
+pain, a smarting irritation, in his eyes, which caused tiny streams of
+moisture to trickle beneath their lids and roll unheeded down his
+cheeks. The muscles of his neck became sore and swollen, from his
+incessant though useless effort to turn aside his head. A dull pain
+began to shoot insistently through his temples, and his limbs became
+numb and cold. The desire to escape from the relentless brilliance of
+the light cone became unbearable; he felt as though, if relief did not
+soon come, he would shriek out in a madness of terror. Then the
+hopelessness of doing so became apparent, and he nerved himself with all
+the power of his will to endure the ever-increasing torture. Yet this
+torture was, he knew, largely mental--the actual pain was by no means
+unbearable; it was only the dull, insistent pounding of the light rays
+upon his eyes, his brain, from which he longed to escape. With closed
+eyes and tensely drawn nerves, he waited, watching the endless play of
+the tracery of light in the dull redness of his eyelids.
+
+The sudden sharp rattle of a key in the door, followed by the turning of
+the knob, told him that someone was entering the room. He had a
+momentary vision of a patch of light, yellow against the surrounding
+blackness, which disappeared almost instantly as the door was closed.
+Then he was conscious of a shadowy form beside him, and heard the
+smooth, modulated tones of Dr. Hartmann's voice.
+
+"Well, Mr. Duvall," he said, "how goes the treatment? Memory any better
+this morning?"
+
+He made no reply. The mockery in the doctor's voice roused him to sudden
+and bitter anger.
+
+"I'm trying a new modification of the light treatment upon you,"
+Hartmann went on, with a jarring laugh. "Dr. Mentone, of Milan, has
+great hopes of it. Wonderful thing, these violet rays! Have you read of
+their use in sterilizing milk? No? The subject would interest you. How
+is your mind this morning? Somewhat irritated, no doubt. Well, well,
+that will soon wear off. You've only been under the treatment six hours.
+Scarcely long enough to produce much effect. We'll make it ten, the next
+time. It is necessary to increase gradually, in order not to superinduce
+insanity." He went to a switch on the wall and pressed it, and instantly
+the cone of light disappeared. Another movement, and the room Was
+flooded with the yellow glow of an electric lamp, which seemed dingy and
+wan, compared with the cold brilliance which it displaced.
+
+The dispelling of darkness brought to Duvall's brain a rush of
+sensations, among which the knowledge that he was once more in the
+lumber-room beneath the laboratory stood forth with overwhelming
+prominence. He glanced at Hartmann with reddened eyes. "Let me up, damn
+you!" he shouted.
+
+The doctor bent over him, his face smiling. "Just a moment, Mr. Duvall.
+Have a little patience." He began to unbuckle several straps, and
+presently stood back, with a wave of his hand. "Get up," he said.
+
+The detective's swollen muscles, his stiffened limbs, still retained the
+sensation of being bound; he scarcely realized that his bonds had been
+removed. Painfully he crawled to his feet, and stood before the doctor,
+blinking, trying to collect his faculties. On the floor lay a number of
+broad leather straps, secured to iron rings which had been let into the
+cement floor.
+
+His first thought was to make a quick rush at his captor, and after
+overpowering him, secure the snuff box and dash from the place. His eyes
+must have shown something of his intention, for Hartmann, stepping back
+a pace, drew his right hand from his pocket. It contained an
+ugly-looking magazine pistol. "Don't attempt anything rash, Mr. Duvall.
+It would be useless. Even should you succeed in disposing of me, which I
+hardly think possible, you could not get away from my man Mayer, who is
+waiting in the corridor outside. Enough of this nonsense," he went on,
+scowling. "I mean to be quite frank with you, my friend. I intend to
+subject you to this device of mine--" he waved his hand toward the
+opening in the ceiling--"until you disclose the whereabouts of the snuff
+box. I know it is somewhere near at hand, either here or in Brussels,
+for your two assistants, whom I have had released, have been hanging
+about the place all the morning. If the violet rays have no other
+effect, they will at least prevent you from sleeping, and my experience
+shows that loss of sleep, if persisted in, will shatter the best set of
+nerves on earth. You know what the effect is, for six hours. The next
+time, as I said some little while ago, we shall try ten--and after that,
+longer periods, until the process becomes continuous. I am giving you
+these brief respites, at first, because I have not the least wish to
+drive you mad--all I ask is the snuff box which you took from my
+messenger Seltz. Give it up, and you can go at your convenience. But I
+must have it--even if I am obliged to drive you to the limit. I advise
+you to save yourself much suffering, and give it to me now."
+
+The detective drew back his arm--his fist clenched. The impulse to drive
+it into Hartmann's face was overpowering. He turned abruptly on his
+heel, and made no reply.
+
+Hartmann waited for a moment, then seeing that his prisoner was not
+disposed to answer, went toward the door. "Max," he called, opening it,
+"bring in the tray." The attendant at once entered with a waiter
+containing food, which he placed on a box near the door. "Is that all?"
+he asked. Hartmann nodded and the man withdrew.
+
+"Think the matter over, Mr. Duvall," the doctor remarked, as he stepped
+across the threshold of the door. "I shall call upon you again, later in
+the day."
+
+Duvall waited until the door had been closed and locked, and the
+doctor's footsteps had died away up the iron staircase. He heard them
+for a moment, on the floor of the room above, then all was quiet.
+
+In a moment the detective had stepped to the large box in the corner,
+behind which lay, he believed, the discarded opera hat. At a glance, he
+saw that it was still there. He was about to stoop and pick it up, when
+a sudden fear swept over him. Suppose he was being watched. The doctor
+was in the room above. The presence in the room of the beam of light
+showed clearly that there must be an opening in the ceiling, into the
+laboratory. For all he knew, Hartmann might be observing his every
+movement. He stopped in his attempt to pick up the hat, and pretended to
+be greatly interested in the box and its contents. After making a
+careful examination of the labels upon it, he strolled carelessly back
+to the other side of the room, and ate the breakfast which the attendant
+had left. He supposed it to be breakfast, although he had no realization
+of the time. In a moment he felt for his watch, and found that it was
+still in his pocket. When he consulted it, however, he saw at once that
+it had run down.
+
+After his meal, he began to feel terribly tired and sleepy. At first he
+fought off the feeling, realizing that his only hope of freedom lay in
+keeping awake, with all his senses alert. Then he thought of the
+nerve-racking hours through which he had just passed; the many more
+which were likely to follow, and decided that he must have rest at any
+cost. He threw himself upon the floor, his head pillowed upon his arm,
+and was soon sleeping the deep sleep which follows utter exhaustion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+All during the afternoon of the day upon which she had first met her
+husband during his confinement at Dr. Hartmann's, Grace Duvall wandered
+about the place, looking for him, waiting with growing fears for his
+appearance. When evening came, and she had failed to find him, she
+became greatly alarmed. In her excitement, she forgot the word she had
+agreed to send into Brussels by the boy who drove the delivery wagon,
+and was just returning to the house when she heard someone calling to
+her from the drive. She turned and saw that it was the bread boy, who
+had stopped his cart some little distance from the veranda.
+
+"Mademoiselle," he called, "you have dropped your handkerchief." He
+pointed with his whip to a white object which lay in the roadway close
+beside the wheels of the cart. She had not dropped her handkerchief--she
+knew that it was at that moment tightly clenched in her left hand, but
+she understood.
+
+"Thank you," she called, and hurried toward him. The boy, meanwhile, had
+climbed down from the wagon, and picking up the handkerchief, which he
+had himself secretly dropped, handed it to her, with a polite bow. She
+felt, as she clutched the bit of linen, that within it lay a note.
+
+"He is here," she said quickly, in an undertone. "The box is safe. It is
+hidden. They have not yet discovered it. But I am afraid something
+terrible has happened to Mr. Duvall. Tell them to send help, quick." She
+turned away, and the boy mounted his box, whistling gayly, and at once
+drove off.
+
+Grace hurried to her room, to examine the note within the handkerchief.
+She could hardly wait to see what it contained. The contents were a
+great disappointment to her. "Leave the house about ten o'clock
+to-morrow morning," it said. That was all. She had already decided to do
+this, in order to effect, if possible, her husband's release. So far as
+the snuff box was concerned, she felt that she did not care whether the
+doctor discovered it or not, if only she might know that Richard was
+safe. All during the evening she wandered aimlessly about the house,
+hoping each minute that she might come upon him, but her search was in
+vain. Richard Duvall seemed to have vanished completely.
+
+Once she met the doctor, just as she had given up in despair and was
+returning to her room. He spoke pleasantly enough, asked her how she
+felt, and showed much concern that she had refused to eat any supper.
+"You must eat, mademoiselle," he told her. "Have you taken regularly the
+tonic I prescribed?" She nodded, not considering it necessary to inform
+him that she had carefully poured it, dose by dose, into the sink. For a
+moment she thought of asking him what had become of Mr. Brooks, but she
+feared to rouse his suspicions. "I'm feeling somewhat out of sorts," she
+said. "I'll be all right in the morning."
+
+"I am gratified to observe," he remarked, as she left him, "that you had
+no tendency to walk in your sleep last night. I trust the improvement
+will continue. Good-night." She could not determine whether or not there
+lay any hidden meaning back of his words. His mirthless smile somehow
+made her feel uncomfortable.
+
+His words, however, inspired her to form a new plan. She would go to the
+laboratory that night, if she could by any means escape the vigilance of
+the woman on guard in the hall, and find out, if possible, whether or
+not Richard was confined there. From the windows of her room, which
+faced the rear of the house, she could see plainly the small square
+brick building in which the laboratory was located. There were lights in
+the floor on a level with her windows--that, she knew, was the room in
+which she had seen Hartmann sitting at his desk, on the night of her
+arrival. But there were, she knew, rooms both above and below this one,
+and in the latter lay hidden the Ambassador's snuff box. Was Richard
+confined there, as well? She determined to find out.
+
+The woman who sat on watch in the hall came to her room at half-past ten
+and looked in to see if she required anything. Grace, who was just
+getting into bed, told her that she did not, said good-night sleepily,
+and asked her to turn off the lights. The woman did so, and closing the
+door softly, retired.
+
+Grace lay in bed a long time, wondering how she could get down the hall,
+and into the passageway leading to the laboratory, without being
+observed. There seemed no possible way of accomplishing this, yet she
+was determined to attempt it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint
+ringing of an electric bell. She knew it was the one in the hall, near
+where the nurse sat, by which any of the patients, desiring her presence
+during the night, might summon her to their rooms. Grace slipped out of
+bed, opened her door the slightest crack, so that she could command a
+view of the hall, and peered out. She saw the nurse coming toward her
+with a glass of water in her hand. She disappeared for a moment into a
+room across the corridor, then reappeared almost at once and resumed her
+seat at the head of the stairs.
+
+Grace was disappointed. She had been on the point of starting out, when
+the woman's reappearance prevented her. She crouched on the floor beside
+her door, waiting until the nurse should again be summoned away.
+
+She waited for hours. She heard the church bells in the city, far off
+and muffled, booming the hour of midnight. The nurse on the chair yawned
+and nodded. After what seemed an eternity, she heard one o'clock strike,
+and then two. The house was shrouded in silence. Her knees were cramped
+and cold, from contact with the floor; her whole body seemed sore, from
+the nervous tension of her position. She almost screamed, when the
+electric bell suddenly rang out again, its sound intensified by the
+stillness until it seemed as though it must wake everyone in the house.
+
+The nurse rose sleepily, glanced at the indicator on the wall which
+informed her from which room the summons had come, and started down the
+corridor toward the west wing of the building. As she passed beyond the
+circle of light cast by the electric globe in the central hall, Grace
+pushed her door open and slipped noiselessly out. For a moment she
+hesitated, saw the woman enter a room midway of the corridor, then flew
+like the wind toward the door which gave entrance to the passageway
+leading to the laboratory. Her bare feet made no sound, she gained the
+door without being discovered, and in an instant had swung it open, and
+was standing in the long covered way outside. She drew the door to after
+her noiselessly, then sank upon her knees and listened. In a short while
+she heard the nurse come shuffling down the corridor, and the creaking
+of her chair as she sank heavily into it. So far, she felt that she was
+safe.
+
+She advanced along the corridor with great caution. Her chief fear was
+that the door of the laboratory might be locked, in which case, she
+would be unable to proceed further. When she reached it, and felt it
+yield as she slowly turned the knob, she heaved a sigh of relief. In a
+moment she was in the laboratory.
+
+The room was unlighted, save for a faint glow which came from a small
+black box in the center of the floor. She had no idea what this box was,
+but noticed that heavy wires ran to it, from each side, and that there
+were several protuberances upon its top, which shone like brass. She did
+not stop to examine it further, however, but looked about for some means
+of reaching the room below. The idea of recovering the snuff box had
+suddenly occurred to her. With that in her possession, Richard, she
+believed, need no longer hesitate to escape at the first opportunity. He
+had told her that it was hidden in the room beneath. She ran quickly
+down the steps which she observed in one corner, feeling a glow of
+excitement at the daring of her quest.
+
+At the bottom of the stairs she found a narrow little corridor with a
+heavy door opening on it which she judged led into the room she desired
+to enter. The corridor was lighted by a single window at the end
+opposite the staircase, through which came a faint light from without.
+
+She groped about in the semi-darkness until she found the knob of the
+door and slowly turned it, pressing her weight against the panels. It
+did not yield. With a sickening feeling of disappointment she realized
+that it was locked.
+
+She stood still for a moment, wondering what she should do next.
+Suddenly she shuddered, and a horrible faintness came over her. From
+within the room she distinctly heard the slow moaning of someone
+evidently in great pain. Thoughts of Richard at once rushed through her
+mind; she flung herself on her knees, in an agony of fear, and sought
+frantically for the keyhole. At last she found it, and looked into the
+room. The sight that met her gaze sent her reeling backward. There lay
+Richard, her husband, upon the floor, his face encircled by a ring of
+blinding light, by which she could see, with frightful distinctness, the
+ghastly expression of his features, the lines of agony about his eyes
+and mouth.
+
+For a moment she beat frantically upon the door, calling to him
+incoherently. She thought he did not hear her, for he did not turn his
+head. Then she stopped, frightened at what she had done. Suppose the
+doctor were to overhear her? Everything would be lost. There was but one
+chance for Richard now, she felt, and that lay with her. She would leave
+the house, in the morning, proceed at once to the Minister's, and tell
+him the whole story. Snuff box or no snuff box, she was determined to
+rescue her husband from his present situation, if it was not already too
+late.
+
+For a long time she looked into the room, watching the face, grim and
+silent in the circle of light. She called to him over and over, softly,
+telling him of her plans, of her love for him, of her sorrow, but he
+seemed not to hear. But for the twitching of his face, and the low moans
+which he uttered from time to time, she might have supposed him dead.
+
+How she got back to her room, she could scarcely have told. She
+staggered up the stairs into the laboratory, out along the corridor, and
+at last reached the door leading into the main building. She pushed this
+silently open, and gazed cautiously into the hall. The nurse sat in her
+chair, apparently asleep. With the utmost care, Grace managed to enter
+the hall, and to close the door behind her. Then seeing that the woman
+was rousing, she determined upon a bold plan. She opened her eyes wide,
+trying to give them a vacant, staring appearance, and with arms extended
+started toward the nurse.
+
+The latter rose with an exclamation of alarm, then recognizing the
+sudden apparition as Grace, came up to her, took her by the arm, and led
+her back to her room. She sank helplessly upon the bed, and pretended to
+fall asleep. Whether the woman suspected her or not, she could not
+tell--she noticed that she locked the door, on leaving the room.
+
+The hours until dawn seemed interminable. She lay in bed, praying that
+there might yet be time in which to save Richard from Hartmann's
+machinations. What it was that the latter was doing to him, she could
+not guess, but the look of agony on Duvall's face told her that his
+sufferings, from some cause, were very great.
+
+After a long time the day broke, and she dressed and managed to choke
+down a little breakfast. She kept in her room until long after nine
+o'clock, not daring to leave the house before ten. Dr. Hartmann came in
+just as she was preparing to go. She saw him glance quickly toward her
+hat, as she put it on. "I'm going in to the city, this morning, doctor,"
+she said, carelessly. "There are a few things I must get at one of the
+shops."
+
+He nodded, as though the matter were quite unimportant. "You had another
+attack, last night, Miss Ellicott," he said. "I regret that the symptoms
+have recurred."
+
+"Did I? What did I do?" she inquired, wide-eyed.
+
+"Nothing, luckily. Walked down the corridor a short distance, the nurse
+tells me. She stopped you before you got very far." He regarded her with
+his keen professional look. "Strange--you do not appear abnormally
+nervous. I fear I shall have to begin the hypnotic treatment at once."
+
+She paid but scant attention. If she could accomplish what she hoped,
+this morning, neither Dr. Hartmann nor his treatments would matter in
+the least to her. "I am sorry it will be necessary," she said, "but of
+course you know best."
+
+When she left the grounds, she watched carefully to see if she was being
+followed, but there was nothing to indicate that such was the case. At
+the corner below, a small, youngish-looking man turned in behind her. He
+appeared to have been walking rapidly, but she had no particular reason
+to believe that he was following her.
+
+She made at once for the center of the town, determined to walk the
+distance rather than wait to find a cab. On the way she passed several
+stores, and it occurred to her to stop in at one of them and buy a pair
+of gloves, to lend color to her excuses. She did so, and was just going
+out again when she suddenly came face to face with the young man she had
+thought was following her. "Miss Ellicott," he said, raising his hat,
+and as his hand was poised before her eyes, she saw on his finger a ring
+similar to the one which had been given her in Paris by Monsieur
+Lefevre, on the day of her departure. She colored, started to pass on,
+then stopped. "Good-morning," she gasped, faintly.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you," he rattled on. "Don't you remember our being
+introduced, at dinner one night, in Paris. I'm delighted to meet you
+again. On your way down-town, I suppose?" His remark seemed a question.
+She answered it at once. "Yes, a little shopping to do, and then I
+thought of stopping at the house of some friends--the United States
+Minister," she added, by way of explanation.
+
+The stranger bowed. "May I have the pleasure of accompanying you?" he
+asked. "I also am going in that direction."
+
+Grace assented, and they went out together. At the door the man summoned
+a cab. "It is safer," he whispered. "We may be observed."
+
+Once inside the cab, which was a closed one, the young man began to ply
+Grace with questions. "I am one of Monsieur Lefevre's men," he told her,
+noting her momentary hesitation. "Be quite frank, please, and tell me
+everything."
+
+When she had finished her story, he sat in silence for a long time. Then
+he turned to her with a question which made her think he had suddenly
+lost his mind. "Has Dr. Hartmann a phonograph in the house?" he
+inquired.
+
+"A phonograph?" she looked at him curiously.
+
+"Yes--yes." His voice betrayed his excitement. "We must send a message
+to Mr. Duvall. Your windows overlook the room where he is confined. He
+may hear it. It is the only way."
+
+"Yes," she said, after a moment's thought. "There is a phonograph in the
+library--a small one. It is seldom used. But Dr. Hartmann--"
+
+"Listen to me," he interrupted, "and do exactly as I say. Pretend to be
+ill. Ask Dr. Hartmann's permission to have the instrument moved to your
+room. Then play the records which I am about to get for you."
+
+She gazed at him, scarcely understanding. "But--" she began.
+
+"Of course you will play other records, as well, but this one you must
+play often--as often as possible. I do not know that Mr. Duvall will
+understand what the message is--it is a chance, but we must take it. I
+myself do not understand it very clearly, but the suggestion comes from
+Monsieur Lefevre himself. You know him. He has your husband's safety at
+heart." He leaned out, giving a few rapid instructions to the cabman,
+and then once more turned to Grace.
+
+"Do not visit the house of the United States Minister. It will be most
+unwise. As soon as he learns that Mr. Duvall and yourself are at Dr.
+Hartmann's house as spies, he will of necessity refuse to assist you
+further. Should he not do so, should he demand Mr. Duvall's release,
+nothing would be gained, since the snuff box would of necessity be left
+behind. Dr. Hartmann will not injure your husband--he is too anxious to
+get possession of the snuff box for that. We will try the phonograph,
+to-day, and if that means is unsuccessful, we must make an attempt to
+regain the box, and release your husband by force."
+
+As he finished speaking, the cab drew up at a music store. The stranger
+sprang out, and in a few moments reappeared with a small package in his
+hand. He handed it to her, then removed his hat and bowed. "I would
+suggest, mademoiselle, that you return at once, and make use of this as
+I have directed. If anything further occurs, send word by the delivery
+boy to-night." He bowed, and walked rapidly down the street.
+
+Grace sadly ordered the cabman to return to Dr. Hartmann's, and then sat
+back, her mind torn by conflicting emotions. The whole thing seemed
+inexplicably mysterious and confusing. Here was Richard, her husband,
+suffering she knew not what agonies at Dr. Hartmann's hands, and these
+people, who ought to be attempting to liberate him, asked her to play
+upon the phonograph. She tore open the package which the young man had
+handed her, and glanced at it eagerly. Its title told her no more than
+the stranger himself had done. She read it over and over, aimlessly. It
+was _The Rosary_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+The dull, heavy sleep into which Richard Duvall had fallen, after Dr.
+Hartmann had left him, was suddenly disturbed by the realization that
+someone had seized him roughly by the arms. He attempted to rise,
+struggling instinctively against the two men who, he dimly saw, were
+bending over him, but his resistance was useless. In a moment the
+leather straps which encircled his wrists and ankles had been drawn
+tight, and he felt himself being lifted bodily and deposited on the
+floor in the center of the room. At first he cried out, cursing his
+captors loudly, but an instant's reflection showed him how profitless
+his remonstrances were, and he allowed himself to be bound to the floor
+in silence. In a moment, Dr. Hartmann--the detective saw that it was he,
+with Mayer--had switched on the violet light, and he once more felt its
+blinding radiance upon his face.
+
+Hartmann opened the door. "I shall be back again in a few hours," he
+said, as he left the room. "I hope that by that time you will have quite
+recovered your senses."
+
+The detective made no reply. He had definitely made up his mind upon one
+point: he was not going to purchase his freedom at the expense of his
+duty. The unfortunate situation in which he now found himself was, he
+knew very well, entirely his own fault, and his desire to atone for his
+momentary carelessness made him determined not to accede to Dr.
+Hartmann's demands. He hoped that his friends outside--Lablanche,
+Dufrenne, even Grace--might be able to come to his assistance. If he
+could only know that the snuff box was safe in Monsieur Lefevre's hands,
+the rest did not matter much.
+
+These thoughts passed through his mind as he lay with closed eyes, his
+face quivering under the dazzling light which fell upon it. Its
+intensity was, he thought, greater, if anything, than it had been
+before, and the irritating effect upon his eyes more pronounced. He did
+not open his eyes at all, on this occasion, for fear even a momentary
+exposure would increase their sensitiveness.
+
+Slowly the day passed. He concluded that it was afternoon, when he heard
+far off a bell striking the hour of two, although it might equally well
+have been two o'clock in the morning, for all he could tell. There was a
+faint hum of conversation in the laboratory above him, which convinced
+him that it was still day.
+
+Presently his ear, acutely sensitive to the slightest noise which might
+disturb the stillness about him, became aware of a faint sound of music,
+which seemed to come to him from a long distance off. It was a popular
+French march, and from a certain quality of the notes he concluded that
+it was being played upon a phonograph. The strains of the music
+distracted him, took his mind from the things about him, and as he
+listened to it, it seemed that the effort of keeping his eyes tightly
+closed grew sensibly less, the blinding pressure of the unwavering light
+cone upon his face appreciably easier to bear. He knew that this was but
+a momentary relief, but he welcomed it eagerly. Lying in this terrifying
+silence, under the cruel glare of light, had become frightful--he
+wondered if, after all, his nerves, his mind, could long stand the
+strain.
+
+The music stopped suddenly. He found himself eagerly hoping that there
+would be more. In a few moments it began again, and he was listening to
+the familiar strains of _The Rosary_. He had always liked the
+song--Grace, too, had been fond of it. He wondered if she could be
+playing to him, trying to soothe his fast-shattering nerves with music.
+It pleased him to think that it might be so, although he had no reason
+to suppose that Grace knew of the torture to which Dr. Hartmann was
+subjecting him.
+
+After a time, the final strains of _The Rosary_ died away, to be
+followed by a German march, played by some military band. This, too, he
+was glad to hear, although he found himself thinking that he preferred
+_The Rosary_. As if in answer to his thoughts, it began again--he found
+himself repeating the words to himself mechanically, and thinking of
+Grace.
+
+The music continued for long over an hour. Duvall noted with surprise
+that while there were many other selections, _The Rosary_ was played
+almost every other time. So often, in fact, did its strains break the
+stillness, that he became annoyed--in his nervous state this constant
+repetition of the song worried him. After a time he shuddered when he
+heard it, hoping that each time would be the last. No one but an
+imbecile, he muttered to himself, could enjoy playing a piece over and
+over in that aimless fashion. When at last the impromptu concert had
+ceased, and the silence about him was once more unbroken, he found
+himself puzzling in vain over the matter, as though it had become of
+vast importance to him.
+
+After the music ceased, he realized how much it had helped him to endure
+the two or more hours which had elapsed since Hartmann left him. His
+real tortures were only just beginning. The constant blaze of light on
+his face, the ceaseless effort to keep his eyes closed, to turn his head
+away, in spite of the bonds which prevented it, once more almost
+frenzied him. He fell to wondering whether Hartmann had been in earnest,
+when he told him of the qualities of the violet rays. Could they in any
+way affect his mind? The mere thought stimulated his imagination to such
+an extent that already he was convinced that his senses were
+wandering--that his mind was becoming sluggish and dull.
+
+As hour after hour passed, this thought became almost a certainty. His
+head began again to ache terribly, his eyes seemed to swim in pools of
+liquid fire. Bright flashes of light darted through his brain, and at
+times it seemed almost on fire. The pain which the constant effort to
+turn his head caused, was becoming more acute as each minute passed--he
+felt constantly on the point of screaming out in terror--begging for
+release--agreeing to do anything they asked of him. Then with a mighty
+effort of the will he would calm himself, and closing his eyes tightly
+once more, determine to endure until the end.
+
+After an interminable period, the sound of the music once more fell upon
+his troubled brain. This time the strains sounded more distinct and
+clear. Three times in rapid succession _The Rosary_ was played, then
+sudden silence. He waited in vain for more--dreading the recurrence of
+the song, yet expecting it, as one expects the continuance of any
+oft-repeated sound. There was nothing further, however, and once more
+the silence became like the darkness about him, a grim and positive
+thing.
+
+Hours later, when his brain reeled endlessly in a blazing redness, and
+his tortured eyes seemed bursting from their sockets, the cone of violet
+light vanished as though some silent hand had brushed it aside, and in
+the reaction he fainted.
+
+He awoke again to find himself lying on the floor, with Hartmann bending
+over him, feeling his pulse. In a fit of rage, he struck out with his
+clenched hand, and missing, scrambled to his feet. The room was faintly
+lit by the single electric globe, and he saw Mayer and Dr. Hartmann
+confronting him, the latter with a revolver in his hand. Once more he
+realized the futility of resistance, and sank against a packing box, his
+hand covering his burning eyes.
+
+The latter appeared to be no longer in his former state of sardonic good
+nature. "Are you ready to tell us what you have done with the box?" he
+snarled.
+
+Duvall made no reply, and this angered the doctor still further. "I'll
+give you an hour to think the matter over," he said, furiously. "And if
+you don't come to terms by that time, you shall stay under the influence
+of the light until you do." He turned toward the door, followed by
+Mayer, and in a moment they had left the room.
+
+Duvall, in his pain and distress, realized that something would have to
+be done at once, within the next hour, in fact, or he would be obliged
+to give up. Physical torture he could stand, but to lie here silently,
+under that cruel radiance, and realize that his brain was slowly giving
+way, he felt he could not endure.
+
+Yet what was there that he could do? The walls of the room, of solid
+brick, he could not hope to penetrate. The door, of iron, a dozen men
+could not break through. He forced his shoulder against it, and laughed
+bitterly as he realized that with all his strength he could not even
+cause it to give the fraction of an inch. He determined to get the snuff
+box--to examine it--reckless of his fear of being observed. In a moment
+he had snatched the opera hat from the corner, torn out the lining, and
+held the box in his hand.
+
+He paused for a moment, listening intently. Everything about him was
+still. There were no sounds from the laboratory above. He remembered now
+that he had not heard Hartmann and his companion ascend the iron
+stairway. Doubtless they had returned to the main building by means of
+the lower corridor.
+
+In a moment he had hung the torn opera hat over the knob of the door, to
+prevent anyone from observing him through the keyhole, and going
+directly beneath the bracket which held the electric globe, proceeded to
+examine the box carefully.
+
+The first thought that came to his mind, filled him with a strange
+feeling of hope. He had no more than glanced at the top of the box when
+he saw what he had previously failed to observe, that the circle of
+pearls upon its top formed a rosary, which was completed by the ivory
+cross in the center. The Rosary! Why had this song been so persistently
+and continuously played? Was it for him, some message, indeed, intended
+to show him a way out of his difficulties? Yet if so, to what did it
+lead? There was a rosary upon the top of the box, it is true, but what
+of it? Absently he began to count the pearls, hardly realizing what he
+was doing. One of them, he noted, the one at the very top of the cross,
+was larger than the others, and he started here, slowly counting around
+the circumference of the box. His eyes pained him frightfully and twice
+he lost count and had to begin all over again, but on the third attempt
+he discovered that the pearls numbered twenty-six. Even yet, the
+significance of this fact did not occur to him--he began to count the
+pearls again, mechanically.
+
+Then suddenly, in a flash, the thing came to him. Twenty-six
+pearls--twenty-six letters in the alphabet. Evidently the box, in some
+way, formed a cipher, a secret alphabet, which might be used in
+correspondence, or in the preparation of important documents, yet
+how--how?
+
+With repressed eagerness he held the box more closely to the light,
+searching its surface for some further clue. At once he noticed the
+arrangement of the concentric circles of letters which made up the Latin
+prayer. The words were so written that each letter stood opposite a
+pearl, and reading inward from each pearl, there was a row of letters
+six deep reaching almost to the center of the box. Clearly here were six
+different ciphers, that is, six circles of twenty-six letters each, any
+one of which might constitute a working cipher. It was only necessary to
+call the big pearl at the top "_A_," and here were six different letters
+opposite it, any one of which, in a system of cipher writing, might be
+used as the letter _A_.
+
+Duvall, however, knew enough about ciphers to know that such an
+arrangement constituted no cipher at all, in other words, that ciphers
+so simple, so readily solved, as this, would never be employed in any
+case where absolute secrecy was imperative. He felt that there was
+something more to the matter than he had so far discovered.
+
+Suddenly he saw that, just beyond each pearl, was engraved on the ivory
+rim of the box a number--starting with the large pearl at the top as
+number one, the circle of numbers ran around the edge of the box until
+it returned to its starting point, at number twenty-six. In his efforts
+to see these numbers, which were very small, he gripped the box tightly
+in his hands to hold it the more steadily toward the rather dim light.
+In doing so, he suddenly became aware of the fact that the rim or edge
+of the box, containing the numbers and the circle of pearls, was
+movable. It fitted so cunningly into the top of the box, that the joint
+appeared not as a crack or perceptible space, but merely as a fine thin
+line, apparently a part of the engraving on its surface. Holding the
+lower part of the box firmly in his left hand, he turned the rim of the
+top slowly about. At once the purpose of this became apparent. Not only
+had each pearl, representing a letter of the alphabet, six corresponding
+values from rim to center, in any one position, but by turning the rim
+around, twenty-six such positions could be secured, making a total of
+one hundred and fifty-six different alphabets from which a person
+desiring to use a cipher might choose.
+
+Again, however, Duvall was conscious of a feeling of disappointment. One
+hundred and fifty-six different ciphers were no better than a single
+one, if only one were used. Evidently he had not yet reached the
+solution of the problem. In employing such a system of ciphers, some
+combination, precisely similar to the combinations used on the locks of
+safes, would have to be used. It was absolutely necessary, in order to
+insure safety, to use not one cipher, but a large number, changing the
+arrangement of the letters with each line written--even with each word,
+in order to defy solution. Yet such an arrangement being purely
+arbitrary, could not well be trusted to memory, for, once forgotten, the
+translation of the document written, even by the writer himself, would
+be absolutely impossible. It occurred to him that as there were six
+different concentric lines of lettering, each constituting in itself a
+complete cipher, the obvious way to use the box would be to place the
+pearls in a given position, write six words, using a different alphabet
+for each word, and then shift the ring of pearls to a new position, and
+repeat the operation. This, of course, could be done indefinitely,
+although half a dozen changes would be sufficient to insure a cipher
+that would absolutely defy solution. Where, however, was the key? That,
+after all, was the important matter; without it, the snuff box would be
+as useless to Monsieur de Grissac as it would be to his enemies
+themselves.
+
+For many minutes Duvall puzzled over the matter, unable to reach any
+satisfactory conclusion. Then he began to think of the song which had so
+clearly been repeated, over and over, as a message to him from outside.
+The words of the refrain began to run aimlessly through his mind, his
+eyes upon the box. Suddenly he realized that the word cross, in its
+repetitions, its position as the final word of the song, must have a
+definite meaning. Before his eyes he saw the cross, so delicately carved
+as to project scarcely an eighth of an inch above the thin and fragile
+ivory surface. Instinctively he began to push at it, pressing it this
+way and that, to discover, if possible, any spring or other means
+whereby it might be made to turn or lift up. As he did so, his fingers
+unconsciously pressed upon the large pearl at the top. In a moment the
+upper surface of the cross slid to one side, disclosing a tiny shallow
+cavity beneath it, some quarter of an inch in either direction, and no
+deeper than the thickness of a piece of cardboard. Within this lay a bit
+of tissue paper, tightly folded.
+
+Duvall drew it carefully out and examined it. Upon it were written six
+numbers: 12-16-2-8-20-4. There was nothing else upon the paper, but
+Duvall realized that he held in his hand the key of the cipher.
+
+At once Monsieur de Grissac's agitation, the servant Noel's death,
+Hartmann's persecution of him, became clear. Evidently there were
+documents, somewhere, of some nature, which this cipher made
+intelligible and which, without it, were proof against all attempts to
+read them. What were these documents? Were they in Hartmann's hands?
+These questions, he knew, could not be answered now.
+
+Immediately the question rose in his mind: What should he do next? By
+destroying the tiny slip of paper, he could render the snuff box
+valueless. Without the key, no one could use it with success. But, the
+key once destroyed, how could Monsieur de Grissac himself read the
+documents, for the preparing of which it had been utilized? Possibly, if
+Hartmann had such documents, they were but copies, obtained through the
+corruption of some clerk, while the originals remained in De Grissac's
+possession. For these reasons he dared not destroy the cipher, at least
+until all other means of escape had been exhausted. Then he realized, in
+a flash, that if he proposed to utilize the return of the snuff box as a
+means of obtaining his freedom, he could not hope to do so, if the key
+was removed. Doubtless Hartmann knew of its existence. In some way he
+had learned, possibly through the murdered man Noel, that the box
+contained such a key, and would examine it, and satisfy himself that it
+had not been removed, before he would allow him to leave the place. This
+would inevitably result in his being searched, and the key, concealed
+about his person, found. He stood in an agony of doubt, wondering which
+alternative he should take.
+
+His reflections were rudely disturbed by the sound of footsteps in the
+corridor outside the door. In a moment he had replaced the tiny bit of
+paper in the recess beneath the cross, slid the latter back into place,
+and thrust the box beneath a mass of straw which lay on top of the
+packing case against which he had been leaning. Then he turned toward
+the door and had barely time to hurl the opera hat into a dark corner,
+when the door opened, and Hartmann appeared on the threshold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+It was not until early in the afternoon that Grace was able to
+accomplish anything toward carrying out the instructions which young
+Lablanche had given her with respect to the phonograph. On her return to
+Dr. Hartmann's from her expedition to Brussels, she went at once to her
+room, and locked the record which Lablanche had given her in her trunk.
+There was nothing to be done now, until after luncheon.
+
+When the meal was over, she asked one of the attendants, who seemed to
+be a sort of housekeeper, or head nurse, if there would be any objection
+to her taking the phonograph, which was a small and rather cheap affair,
+to her room. She wished to amuse herself, she explained, playing over
+some of the records.
+
+The woman regarded her curiously for a moment, but as there seemed
+nothing out of the way in the request, she assented, with the caution,
+however, that she should not use the instrument except during the day.
+"Some of our patients are very nervous," she explained. "It might annoy
+them, if they were sleeping. Of course, if there are any complaints, you
+will not continue."
+
+Grace got one of the nurses to carry the instrument to her room, and
+selected several records from those which she found in a cabinet on
+which it stood. There were several American records--she took all of
+these, and some others selected at random.
+
+She did not play The Rosary at once, but made use of one of the other
+records. The horn of the instrument she directed toward the open window.
+When she had finished the first air, and adjusted her own record upon
+the plate of the machine, she felt afraid that it might at once be
+recognized as strange and new, but apparently no one paid any attention
+to it.
+
+She continued her playing as long as she dared without running the risk
+of attracting undue attention. When at last she stopped, she felt as
+though she never wanted to hear the strains of The Rosary again.
+
+After dinner, she determined to disregard the suggestion of the
+housekeeper to confine her playing to the daytime, and moving the
+machine somewhat nearer the window, played the song over three times in
+rapid succession. She had just begun to rewind the clockwork for a
+fourth time when there was a loud knocking at the door, and Dr. Hartmann
+entered hastily in response to her rather frightened "Come in."
+
+He was scowling fiercely, and took no pains to conceal the fact that he
+was angry. "Miss Ellicott," he growled, "we cannot possibly permit you
+to play the instrument any longer. It annoys the other patients. I am
+surprised that my housekeeper did not inform you so at once. Several
+have already complained. I shall have to take it back to the library."
+He gathered up the instrument and started toward the door, then seemed
+for a moment to regret his brusqueness. "You will pardon me, I know, but
+it is quite out of the question. Good-evening." In a moment he had gone.
+
+Grace sat down and burst into tears. It was not the taking away of the
+phonograph which distressed her--she felt that if anything could be
+accomplished by its use, it had already been done--but the hopelessness
+of the whole situation.
+
+Nearly eighteen hours had elapsed, since she had stolen, half-fainting,
+from the sight of Richard's white and agonized face. Even Lablanche's
+assurances that Hartmann would do her husband no serious injury, failed
+to comfort her. The whole affair of the phonograph seemed trivial and
+useless. What message could the words of this song give him--what in
+fact could they mean to anyone, except a message of hopeless love?
+
+When the hour for going to bed had come, she threw herself, without
+undressing, on the bed, and lay sleepless, in the darkened room. The
+vision of Richard, as she had seen him, his face within the circle of
+light, the night before, tortured her incessantly. It seemed somehow so
+wrong, so cowardly of her, to lie here in comfort doing nothing to aid
+him who, in name at least, was united to her forever, and in love was
+more dear to her than her own soul. She could not sleep, and presently
+rose and sat at the window, her elbows resting upon the sill, gazing
+hungrily out at the little square brick building where she knew Richard
+lay confined.
+
+The hours of the night dragged along on leaden feet. Once she heard the
+closing of a door, and the sound of footsteps echoing faintly upon the
+cement floor of the lower corridor. Within the laboratory all seemed
+dark. Evidently the doctor was not there. Then she heard, through her
+half-opened door, noises of persons walking in the lower hallway of the
+main building and after that the sharp closing of a door. She concluded
+that Hartmann had gone into his office.
+
+The woman on duty in the hall sat in her chair, reading and yawning.
+After a time, Grace heard the faint ringing of her bell, and the woman,
+after consulting the indicator, began to descend the stairs with a
+surprised look upon her face. It seemed like a providential opportunity.
+She slipped quietly through the doorway and sped as swiftly as she could
+down the hall.
+
+She reached the door opening into the corridor, without hearing or
+seeing anything to cause her alarm, and passed through it unseen. As she
+closed it behind her, she fancied she heard someone walking quickly
+along the corridor beneath. The passageway in which she stood was in
+reality nothing but a covered bridge, a few feet wide, built for the
+sole purpose of providing a means of passing to the laboratory from the
+second floor of the main building. Beneath it, a similar passageway
+connected the ground floors of the two buildings.
+
+She realized that anyone in the corridor beneath her could readily hear
+her footsteps on the wooden floor above, and stood, hesitating, just
+inside the door, waiting until they should have passed. In a few
+moments, the sounds below ceased, and silence again reigned.
+
+With great timidity and caution, she began to walk toward the laboratory
+door. In the center of the corridor, and half way down its length, a
+single electric lamp shed a dim light on her path. She realized that if,
+by chance, anyone should be within the darkened laboratory, they could
+readily see her approaching, and therefore assumed once more the manner
+and bearing of a person walking in their sleep. She had passed the light
+in the middle of the corridor, and was nearing the darkened laboratory
+door, when suddenly she heard a faint click, and almost at once the
+laboratory was brilliantly illuminated.
+
+By the light which suddenly flashed upon her, she saw two figures
+standing in the open door of the laboratory, watching her intently. One
+of these figures was Dr. Hartmann, the other the tall blond man she had
+seen with him in the laboratory several nights before. But it was not
+the sudden appearance of the two watching figures which caused her heart
+to sink, and a cold perspiration to break out upon her forehead. The
+sudden rush of light upon the floor of the passageway had shown her
+something else--something far more strange and terrifying. As her gaze
+swept ahead, she saw that, for a space of some four or five feet, in
+front of the laboratory door, the wooden planking which constituted the
+floor of the passageway had been removed, and instead of the solid
+foot-way there yawned blackly an impassable opening, through which, in
+another moment, she would plunge headlong to the concrete floor of the
+corridor beneath.
+
+The sight filled her with dismay. She realized at once why Hartmann and
+his companion stood there watching her--why the section of flooring had
+been removed. He had evidently become suspicious of her movements, the
+night before, and had laid this trap to test her. If she was in truth
+walking in her sleep, she would, she supposed, walk fearlessly into the
+yawning gap before--if her somnambulism was a sham, a trick, she would
+hesitate, and her fraud be discovered.
+
+She did not know what to do, as step by step she approached that black
+and gaping hole. If she kept up her pretense, if she had sufficient
+courage to go ahead, of what would it avail Richard or Monsieur Lefevre,
+should she maintain her assumed character at the expense of a broken
+leg, or neck? On the other hand, to halt, to hold back, would be to
+destroy at once all chance of her being of any further service to her
+husband, and that, too, at a time when he most sorely needed her.
+
+These considerations flashed through her brain with the speed of light
+itself. She had scarcely taken half a dozen steps before she found
+herself upon the brink of the opening, and realized that the next step,
+if she took it, might be her last.
+
+Then she suddenly collapsed. The effort was too great--she sank
+helplessly upon the floor, her face buried in her arms, her whole body
+shaking with the force of her sobbing.
+
+In an instant Hartmann had sprung across the opening and grasped her by
+the wrist, while his companion was engaged in rapidly replacing over the
+gap the section of flooring which had been removed. Within a few moments
+the passageway was as it had been before, and the doctor was dragging
+her roughly into the laboratory.
+
+She did not cry out--there was no one from whom she could expect aid.
+She drew herself up and faced her captor with dry eyes and a face calm,
+though pale. "What do you mean, Dr. Hartmann," she demanded, steadily,
+"by treating me in this way?"
+
+He forced her into a chair. "Sit down, young woman," he said, gruffly.
+"I have a few questions to ask you."
+
+She did so, without protest, summoning to her aid all her powers of
+resistance and will. He should get nothing from her, she determined.
+
+"Why have you come into my house," he presently asked, glaring at her in
+anger, "under pretense of desiring medical treatment? What is it you
+want here?"
+
+She made no reply, gazing at him steadily--fearlessly.
+
+"What is this man Duvall to you?" he shouted. "Tell me, or it will be
+the worse for you both."
+
+Again she faced him, refusing to answer. Her resistance made him
+furious. "Your silence will profit you nothing," he went on. "You can do
+no further harm here, for I know your purpose. You are working with
+him--you are a detective--a spy, as he is. You pretend to be a
+somnambulist in order to carry out your ends. I suspected you long ago.
+Now I know. This man has robbed me of something that I am determined to
+have. What he has done with it--where it is concealed, I do not know,
+but I mean to have it--be sure of that. If you know--you had better
+confess, if you have any regard for his welfare."
+
+His words, his brutal manner, brought the tears to her eyes. She
+realized that she had but to say a few words, to save Richard from she
+knew not what fate, yet equally she knew that she could not say
+them--that he would not want her to say them. In her agitation she took
+a handkerchief from her dress and pressed it to her eyes.
+
+The man Mayer had been regarding her in silence throughout the whole
+scene. Suddenly he stepped forward and snatched the handkerchief from
+her hand. His quick eyes had detected a monogram in one corner of the
+bit of cambric, and with an air of triumph he held it beneath the light,
+examining it closely.
+
+Hartmann came to him. "What is it, Mayer?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+His assistant extended the handkerchief to him. Grace realized with a
+sinking heart that it was one of several she had herself embroidered
+during the weeks preceding her marriage. With what pride, she reflected,
+she had worked over the G and D, lovingly intertwined in one corner.
+"His wife!" she heard Hartmann cry, with a harsh laugh. "That explains
+everything. That was why he did not leave Brussels at once--he was
+waiting for her--he would not go without her." He turned to Grace with a
+new expression on his face. "So you are his wife, eh? Very well. Now we
+shall see whether or not you will tell me what I want to know. Your
+husband is confined in the room below us. This"--he indicated the small
+black box with wires attached--"is a device which I have constructed for
+producing certain light rays--light rays which have a marvelous power,
+both for curing, and producing disease. Look!" He held his powerful hand
+before her eyes. "This is what they did to me, before I discovered how
+to control them." She saw, stretching across the back of his hand and
+wrist, a broad red patch, like the scar remaining after a burn. "Now
+come here." He seized her by the wrist and dragged her toward the
+apparatus at the center of the room. "Look--in there." He indicated a
+short brass tube which rose from the center of the box, resembling the
+eyepiece of a microscope. "Look!"
+
+Grace bent over and applied her eye to the brass tube, then shrank back
+with an exclamation of horror. "Richard!" she screamed, then turned on
+Hartmann with the fury of a tigress. "Let him go--let him go--I say, or
+I will--" She realized her helplessness--the futility of her threats,
+and fell into the chair in a paroxysm of sobbing. Through the brass
+tube, and the powerful lens which focused the light rays upon the space
+below, she had seen Richard's face, white and drawn, within a disk of
+blinding light, and apparently so near to her that she could have
+reached out and touched it. In her momentary glance, she noted his
+reddened eyes, the tears which coursed from beneath their lids, the
+agony which distorted his countenance.
+
+"Now will you tell me what I ask?" cried Hartmann, triumphantly.
+
+Still she made no reply. Her heart was breaking, her suffering at the
+knowledge of his suffering made her faint and weak, but even now she
+could not bring herself to break the trust which Monsieur Lefevre had
+placed in her. She sat huddled up in the chair, shaking from head to
+foot with sobs.
+
+Hartmann saw that her resistance was as yet unbroken. "Take her arm,
+Mayer," he called out, as he seized her by one wrist. "Come along now.
+We'll see if a closer view will have any effect." He snatched up a broad
+leather strap from a shelf along the wall, then, with Mayer's
+assistance, half-led, half dragged her to the iron stairway in the
+corner. In a few moments they had paused before the door of the room
+where the detective lay confined. Hartmann threw it open and pushed
+Grace inside, while he and Mayer followed, closing the door behind them.
+
+For a moment Grace was dazzled by the brightness of the light cone, and
+the darkness of the remainder of the room. Then seeing Richard lying
+helpless on the floor before her, she threw herself to her knees, put
+her arms about his neck, and covered his face with kisses. "My
+darling--my poor boy!" she cried, as she bent over him, her shoulders
+shutting off from his tortured face the blinding rays of the light.
+"What have they done to you?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+
+Grace had remained upon her knees beside the prostrate figure of her
+husband but a moment, when she was torn away by Hartmann and his
+assistant, and before she realized their intention, the former had
+slipped about her waist the broad leather strap he had brought from the
+room above, and was busy securing it to an iron staple fixed in the wall
+at one side of the room. Then he stood back and surveyed the scene with
+a smile of satisfaction.
+
+"You see, Mayer," he observed, grimly, "my purpose. The wife sees the
+husband's suffering. If he refuses to speak, she will speak. One or the
+other will tell us what we want to know, of that you may be sure. Let us
+leave them to talk matters over." He and his man at once left the room,
+and in a few moments Grace heard their footsteps upon the floor of the
+laboratory above.
+
+"Richard," she cried, softly, "are you suffering very much?"
+
+"Never mind, dear," he said, trying vainly to turn his head so that he
+might see her. "What has happened--why have they brought you here?"
+
+She told him her story, brokenly, with many sobs. "I could not help it,
+Richard," she moaned. "I did my best. I could not help their finding out
+everything."
+
+"I know it, dear. You have done all you could. Is there any news from
+outside?"
+
+"None. They told me to play the phonograph to send you a message. Did
+you hear it?"
+
+"Yes, I heard, and understood."
+
+"Understood? Then you know something--you have some hope?"
+
+"I do not know. It may be, although I cannot see what to do now. I dare
+not tell you more than that--these scoundrels are undoubtedly listening
+in the room above."
+
+"Richard, what is that light? What is it they mean to do to you? Dr.
+Hartmann showed me his hand--it was all scarred and burned. He said it
+came from that." She looked toward the glowing cone of light with bitter
+anger.
+
+"I do not know--exactly. I am not sure. The agony of the thing is very
+great--it burns into my eyes--into my brain. Hartmann says it will
+produce insanity. I do not know whether this is true or not. I begin to
+feel that perhaps it may be--not that the light itself can produce it,
+but that inability to sleep, pain, nervous exhaustion, the constant
+glare and brilliance before my eyes--those things might cause a man to
+go insane, if they were kept up long enough."
+
+"But--he--he will not dare to do that."
+
+Duvall groaned, striving in vain to turn his head to one side. "He
+intends to keep me here, until I tell him where he can find the snuff
+box," he gasped.
+
+"Richard!" Grace fairly screamed out his name. "Then you must tell--you
+_must_! You cannot let yourself go mad--not even for Monsieur Lefevre."
+
+"I shall not tell--no matter what comes," he replied.
+
+"Then _I_ will. I refuse to let you suffer like this. I can't do it, I
+won't. If you do not speak, I shall. Oh, my God! Don't you see--I love
+you--I love you so--what do I care about this foolish snuff box? I want
+you--you--and I _won't_ let them take you away from me."
+
+"Grace, you shall not tell them."
+
+"I will."
+
+"I forbid it."
+
+"I cannot help it, Richard. I am ready to disobey you--if I must, to
+save your life. Even if you turn from me--afterward--I cannot help it. I
+refuse to let them go ahead with this thing."
+
+He groaned in desperation. "Please--please--my girl--listen to me. You
+must not speak. We must think of our duty to those who have trusted us.
+Wait, I implore you. Don't do this!"
+
+"I will. I have a duty to you which is greater than my duty to them. Dr.
+Hartmann!" she screamed. "I will tell everything--everything." She
+collapsed against the wall and sobbed as though her heart would break.
+
+In a few moments they heard Hartmann and Mayer descending the steps, and
+the door was thrown open.
+
+"Ah, so you have come to your senses, have you?" the doctor cried.
+"Well, what have you to say?"
+
+Grace raised her head. "If I tell you where the ivory snuff box is
+hidden," she said, "will you let my husband go?"
+
+"Yes. Your husband, and yourself, and the rat we've just caught sneaking
+around outside. He's up in the laboratory now. You can all take
+yourselves off as quickly as you like, when once the snuff box is in my
+hands. Now speak."
+
+"First, let my husband up."
+
+Hartmann went to the wall, and switching off the violet rays, turned on
+the electric lamp, then nodded to Mayer. "Unbind him," he said.
+
+Duvall staggered to his feet, half-blinded. As he did so, Hartmann
+turned to Grace. "Speak!" he commanded. "We are wasting time."
+
+Before Grace could reply, Duvall turned to her.
+
+"I forbid you," he cried. "If you do this thing, I will never see you
+again as long as I live. You are destroying my honor. I refuse to let
+you do it. Stop!"
+
+The girl hesitated, and Hartmann swore a great oath. "Take her out of
+here, Mayer," he cried. "She'll never speak, as long as her husband is
+present to dissuade her. Up with her to the laboratory. She'll talk
+there, quick enough."
+
+"No!" Duvall staggered toward her. "You shall not." His movements were
+slow and uncertain, due to the blinding pain in his eyes, and his
+stiffened, nerve-racked limbs. Hartmann pushed him aside angrily. "Be
+quiet," he growled. "Let the woman alone."
+
+Meanwhile Hartmann's companion had torn away the strap which bound Grace
+to the wall and was leading her to the door. Her husband's efforts to
+detain her, weak and uncertain, were easily frustrated by Hartmann. In a
+few moments the door had swung shut upon the detective, and she was
+being led up the steps to the room above.
+
+Here she fell into a chair, and looking about, saw huddled on a couch in
+the far corner of the room a little, bent old man, who sat with his
+white head bowed upon his breast, his hands tied behind his back.
+Hartmann went over to him and unfastened his bonds. "You will be happier
+in a moment, my friend," he laughed. "This lady is going to set you
+free."
+
+Dufrenne--for it was he--sprang to his feet. "How?" he demanded. "How?"
+As he spoke, he crossed the room, his eyes gleaming, and faced Grace as
+she sat in the chair.
+
+"Wait and see, old man," said Hartmann, roughly. "Stand aside, please."
+He pushed Dufrenne impatiently away. "Now, young woman, where is the
+ivory snuff box?"
+
+Grace raised her head to reply, when the little old Frenchman turned to
+her, pale with anger. "No!" he shouted, starting forward. "You shall not
+do this thing. Would you be a traitor to France!"
+
+Grace looked at him and shuddered. His face was quivering with
+emotion--his eyes burned with piercing brightness, he seemed about to
+spring at her, in his rage. In a moment Hartmann had turned on him. "Be
+quiet!" he roared. "I want no interference from you. Mayer!" He pointed
+a trembling forefinger at the old Frenchman. "Take this fellow away."
+
+Mayer took Dufrenne by the arm and twisted it cruelly. "No nonsense,
+now!" he growled, thrusting the old man toward the couch upon which he
+had been sitting. "Hold your tongue, or it will be worse for you."
+Dufrenne resisted him as best he could, but his age and feebleness
+rendered him helpless. He sank upon the couch, with tears of anger
+starting to his eyes.
+
+Grace dared not look at him. The enormity of the thing she was about to
+do appalled her. Yet there was Richard, her husband; Richard, whom she
+loved with all her soul, in the room below, facing madness, death. The
+love she felt for him overmastered all other considerations. She turned
+to Hartmann with quivering face. "The box is in the room below," she
+cried, in a voice shaking with emotion.
+
+"_Mon Dieu--mon Dieu!_" she heard Dufrenne gasp, as he started from the
+couch. "You have ruined us all."
+
+Hartmann and Mayer gazed at each other incredulously. "Impossible!" the
+former gasped. "Impossible!" Then he turned to Grace. "Girl, are you
+telling me the truth?"
+
+She nodded, bowing her head upon her hands. She could not trust herself
+to speak.
+
+"Where? Where in that room could it be hidden? Tell me!" he shook her
+angrily by the arm. "Haven't we wasted enough time over this thing?"
+
+Still she made no reply. Now that she had told them, a sudden revulsion
+swept over her. She hated herself for what she had done, hated Hartmann,
+hated Monsieur Lefevre for placing her in this cruel situation.
+
+Hartmann dragged her roughly to her feet. "If the box is in the room
+below, come with me and find it."
+
+He hurried her toward the staircase. "Come along, Mayer," he called over
+his shoulder. "Bring that fellow with you. It won't be safe to leave
+him." As she descended the steps, Grace heard the other two close behind
+her. The Frenchman staggered along like a man in a daze, offering no
+resistance.
+
+When they burst into the room in which Duvall was confined, they found
+the latter standing beneath the electric lamp, a look of determination
+upon his face. He regarded them steadily, in spite of his reddened and
+burning eyes.
+
+Hartmann paid little attention to him. He was too greatly interested in
+the movements of Grace. "Now," he said, "where is it? You say the snuff
+box is here--in this room. Find it."
+
+She hesitated, looking at her husband pitifully. What would he think of
+her? Would he, too, regard her as a traitor, a weak and contemptible
+creature, forever barred from love and respect, false to her duty, her
+honor? His face told her nothing. He was regarding her impassively. She
+remembered now that he had said that he would never see her again if she
+disobeyed him. Then she turned away, her mind made up. She would save
+him, come what might. He had told her that the box was hidden in an
+opera hat, in one corner of the room. She glanced about quickly, trying
+to discover its whereabouts in one of the dark corners.
+
+Duvall saw her intention. He took a step forward, and addressed
+Hartmann. "You have forced this girl, through her love for me, to betray
+a great trust. I prefer that, if anyone here is to become a traitor, it
+shall be myself." He thrust his hand into the pocket of his coat, and
+extended a round white object toward the astonished doctor. "Here is the
+snuff box."
+
+Dufrenne, for the moment left unguarded by Mayer, sprang forward with a
+fierce cry. "No--no--no!" he screamed. "You shall not--you shall not."
+
+"Out of my way!" exclaimed the doctor, brushing the old man aside as
+easily as though the latter had been a child. With eager hands he took
+the box, and going to the light, bent over it. As he saw the pearls, the
+cross, his face lit up with delight. "This is it, Mayer. Just as the
+valet described it." He gave the ring of pearls a swift turn, then
+pressed immediately upon the larger one of the circle and slid the top
+of the ivory cross to one side. Duvall, who was watching him with
+interest, concluded that from some source, probably through Monsieur de
+Grissac's dead servant, Dr. Hartmann had learned thoroughly the secret
+of the box.
+
+With a cry of satisfaction the latter drew out from the tiny recess the
+slip of folded paper, glanced at the row of numbers written upon it,
+then passed it over to Mayer. The latter nodded his head. "Now we are
+all right," he muttered. "This is easily worth a million francs."
+
+"Money doesn't measure its value, my friend," the doctor remarked,
+gravely, as he replaced the slip of paper beneath the cross and put the
+box carefully into his pocket.
+
+During these few moments, Dufrenne had been observing the doctor with
+bulging eyes. Suddenly he turned on the detective. "May the good God
+curse you and your woman for this," he cried, hoarsely, "until the day
+of your death. May He turn all men against you, and make your name a
+despised and dishonored one forever. You have been false to your
+duty--false to France. You are a traitor, a contemptible dog of a
+traitor, and you deserve to die." His whole body shook with passion as
+he poured the fury of his wrath upon the man before him.
+
+Duvall sank weakly against the packing case behind him. Suffering, lack
+of sleep and food, the burning pain in his eyes and brain, threatened to
+overcome him. "Let me alone," he gasped. "I am so tired, so very tired!"
+He almost fell as he uttered the words and indeed would have done so had
+Grace not gone quickly up to him and passed her arm lovingly about his
+shoulders. Turning to Dufrenne, she regarded him with a look of
+defiance. "He is not guilty!" she cried. "It is I--I!--who have been
+false. I made him do it--I made him do it. Go away, and tell the others
+what you please. I know that my husband has done his best." She fell to
+soothing him, kissing him upon his hot forehead, his burning cheeks.
+
+Dufrenne looked at Dr. Hartmann, who was regarding the scene before him
+with impatience. "Do I understand, monsieur," he asked, in a ghastly
+voice, "that I am free to leave this place?"
+
+"Yes. Out with you. I could hold you for trespass upon my grounds, for
+attempting to break into my house, but I don't want to be bothered with
+you. Go!" He went to the door and held it open. "Mayer," he said, "show
+this fellow the road. And as for you"--he turned to Duvall and his
+wife--"get away from here, and from Brussels, as soon as you like. I
+advise you not to stay in the town. I rather think that, through the
+evidence of Seltz, I can make it slightly uncomfortable for you. Tell
+what story you please. I have done you no injury. You came here of your
+own free will--you could have escaped and you would not. As for the
+light--" He laughed harshly. "An ordinary arc, focused on your eyes with
+a powerful lens. It would probably have blinded you, in time, and if it
+kept you awake long enough, you would no doubt have gone mad, but so far
+you are not hurt much. I can swear that it is part of my new treatment
+for a disordered mental state. My man here will agree with me. What are
+you going to do about it? How are you going to explain your robbery of
+Seltz in my office, the deception your wife has practised upon me and
+upon the United States Minister? And above all, now that I have the
+secret I desired, I am quite willing to have a cast made of the snuff
+box and return it to you, but I fancy that neither Monsieur de Grissac
+nor my friend Lefevre will want to have the matter made public in the
+courts. You'd better leave here quietly and take the first steamer to
+America. I don't fancy you'll find a very flattering reception awaiting
+you in Paris." He turned to the door. "Come, I'll have your belongings
+put on a cab, and be glad to be rid of you." He paused beside the
+doorway, waiting.
+
+Grace turned to her husband. "Come, Richard," she said. "Let us go."
+
+He made no reply, but followed her blindly. His spirits seemed broken,
+he walked like a man in a heavy sleep.
+
+It was just dawn when, half an hour later, Richard Duvall and his wife
+drove silently through the ghostly streets of Brussels toward the
+railway station. The detective did not speak. He sat silent, plunged in
+a deep stupor. Grace, her heart breaking, held one of his hands, and
+with white face, gazed helplessly out of the window at the city, just
+waking to another day. To all these people the dawn came with some
+measure of hope, of happiness, but to her, and to her husband, now once
+more beginning their honeymoon, the future seemed full of bitterness and
+despair. She shivered in the cold morning air, and the tears she could
+not repress stole unheeded down her cheeks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+
+It was not until they had reached the railway station that Richard
+Duvall roused himself from the stupor in which he had sat ever since he
+and his wife had driven away from Dr. Hartmann's. When their baggage had
+been deposited on the platform, under the care of a solicitous porter,
+and the cabman had been paid and gone his way, Grace asked her husband
+concerning their destination. "Shall we go to Antwerp?" she said,
+listlessly. "We can get a steamer there, or cross to England." She
+awaited his reply without interest. It seemed to matter very little
+where they went, now.
+
+Duvall turned to the waiting porter. "When is the next train for Paris?"
+he asked. The man answered at once, glancing at the clock in the
+waiting-room. "In forty minutes, monsieur. You will have time for rolls
+and coffee."
+
+"Paris!" exclaimed Grace, in much surprise. "Why should we go to Paris,
+dear? I don't care about the things I left there. We can telegraph for
+them. Oh, Richard, I can't go back and face Monsieur Lefevre now." She
+looked eagerly at his face, but its expression told her nothing. "I must
+make my report to the Prefect," he answered. "It is my duty."
+
+Over their simple breakfast he was uncommunicative. "Don't worry, dear,"
+he said, once, when she had plied him with questions, attempted to
+change his decision by arguments. "I cannot afford to run away. Monsieur
+Lefevre has given me a duty to perform, and I must at least tell my
+story. After that, we can go to America, but not now."
+
+She could get no more out of him, and with tears in her eyes, followed
+him to the compartment in the Paris train which the porter had secured
+for them. There were few people traveling at this early hour. They had
+the compartment to themselves. Duvall rolled himself in his overcoat and
+lay down upon one of the seats. "I am very tired, dear," he told her. "I
+have suffered a frightful strain. My eyes hurt so that I can scarcely
+see. I am sick for want of sleep. There is a hard task before me, when I
+get to Paris. I must have a little rest." He turned his face away from
+the light, and lay quiet, breathing heavily.
+
+Grace sat huddled up in a corner of the opposite seat, watching him, a
+great tenderness in her eyes. After all, she thought, he was her
+husband, the man she loved, and if he had appeared to act the part of a
+traitor to his cause, it was only because she, by her weakness, her love
+for him, had forced him to do so. At the last moment he had thought of
+her--his one thought had been to save her from disgrace and dishonor. He
+had assumed the blame, for he had given up the snuff box of his own free
+will. Had he allowed her to do so, he could have preserved his own name,
+his own honor, clear of all accusation or stain. It made her love him
+doubly, that he had thus stepped into the breach at the last moment and
+taken upon himself the guilt which she knew belonged in reality upon
+her.
+
+As she sat there, conscious only of the flying trees outside the car
+windows, the clicking of the wheels upon the rails, and the low
+breathing of her husband on the seat before her, her mind went forward
+into the future, and the prospect made her shudder. In Paris she knew
+what manner of welcome awaited them. Monsieur Lefevre would turn from
+them both, as he would not turn from the vilest criminal.
+
+Their names would be held up to scorn, in official circles at least. If
+the public ever came to know of the affair, she knew they would have
+reason to fear for their very safety.
+
+As to the results of her act, as to what the secret of the lost snuff
+box was, that made Hartmann declare its value to be priceless, she could
+not even guess. That it must have some diplomatic, some international
+significance, she fully believed, else why should Monsieur Lefevre have
+declared that the honor of France was involved? And if so--if the
+possession of the secret by Hartmann, and thus by the foreign country,
+whichever one it might be, of which he was probably an agent, did result
+in complications of a vast and terrible nature, involving possibly war,
+or loss of national honor and prestige, how could either she or her
+husband ever again hope to hold up their heads, to find any joy and
+happiness in life?
+
+Of course, there was America, and home, but even there the secret would
+in time become known, and Richard would find that those who had been his
+friends in high places would turn from him, trusting in his honor, his
+integrity, no longer. Even, she realized, if the affair did not become
+known, at home, it would stand forever between them, a black and
+grinning shadow, destroying confidence, happiness, even love itself. She
+had failed him--failed her husband--done what he had forbidden her to
+do, and he had sworn to leave her, to turn from her forever, if she
+disobeyed him. Would he do this, she wondered? Or would he understand
+that what she had done, had been for his sake, for the sake of her love
+for him?
+
+Presently she realized that the train was slackening its speed, and the
+houses which began to appear in increasing numbers outside the car
+windows told her that they were approaching a station. She looked at her
+railway folder and then consulted her watch. It was Manbenge, the point
+at which they left Belgium and entered France. The train drew noisily
+into the station, and was at once surrounded by the usual crowd of
+passengers, porters, railway and customs officials, and the like. Grace
+watched them idly, indifferently. Her only concern was that they should
+not wake her husband with their noisy chatter.
+
+Presently she saw a small, white-haired figure approaching the
+compartment door. At first she paid no attention to the man, supposing
+him to be a belated passenger. Then she was struck with a sudden
+familiarity in his appearance. She started back in alarm as she saw that
+it was Dufrenne, and that he was making straight for the compartment in
+which she sat, his face stern and angry. Behind him she observed two
+gendarmes, walking with their characteristic jerky stride.
+
+Dufrenne had been a mystery to her. Until their meeting in Dr.
+Hartmann's laboratory that morning, she had never seen him. She had
+felt, from his words, that he, too, was of Monsieur Lefevre's staff, a
+member of the secret police, but that he was no friend of Richard's or
+of hers, she very well knew. She drew back further into the dim corner
+of the compartment, hoping that he would not recognize her.
+
+Her hopes, however, were in vain. Dufrenne threw open the door of the
+carriage, which had previously been unlocked by the guard, and followed
+by his men, entered the compartment. "Here is the fellow," he cried,
+angrily, pointing to Duvall. "Arrest him."
+
+Grace sprang forward, and stood between the men and her husband, who
+slept on, unconscious of the noise about him. "No--no!" she cried, in a
+tense whisper. "Let him alone. You shall not touch him." In her
+desperation she drew from the bosom of her dress a small revolver which
+she had carried ever since she left Paris. "Keep away, I tell you. You
+shall not arrest my husband."
+
+Dufrenne confronted her with an angry gesture. "You fool!" he cried. "Do
+you dare to disobey this?" He held before her eyes a silver ring, inlaid
+with gold, similar to the one she wore about her own neck. "I am a
+member of the secret police, as you know. This man is a traitor to his
+duty, and for that he shall be punished. Arrest him," he said again to
+his men.
+
+Grace recoiled, and dropped the revolver she held to the floor. In all
+her dread of the future, this was something upon which she had not
+counted. Her husband arrested--possibly shot, or condemned to spend
+years in some frightful military prison. She thought of Devil's Island,
+where Dreyfus had been confined, and the horror of the situation
+overcame her. Unable to resist longer, she sank upon the seat and burst
+into tears.
+
+The two gendarmes awakened Duvall roughly, and after informing him that
+he was a prisoner, sat grimly down on either side of him. Dufrenne took
+the seat beside Grace. The train had again begun to move--she realized
+that they were once more flying toward Paris.
+
+At first Duvall, in his stupor of sleep, did not realize what had
+happened, but in a few moments he had grasped the situation. He did not
+seem greatly concerned at his arrest, and Grace, her first paroxysm of
+weeping having passed, looked at him in surprise. How brave he is! she
+thought. Once she caught his eyes, but he made no sign. Apparently he
+was resigned to his fate.
+
+Dufrenne turned to her presently. "You, madame, are also under arrest,"
+he remarked coldly.
+
+"You have no right to do this thing," she exclaimed. "We have done the
+best we could."
+
+"No!" cried the little old Frenchman, his bent shoulders straightening,
+his eyes flashing until he became a stern and vengeful figure. "No! You
+have not done the best you could. Brave men--and brave women, die at
+their posts of duty. You are cowards, both of you. Had I been in your
+place, do you think I would have given in--do you think I would have
+sold the honor of my country! _Mon Dieu!_ It is incredible! I am a
+Frenchman, madame, and I have fought for France. I value my life as
+nothing, where her welfare is concerned. I would have died a thousand
+times, died as Frenchmen die, with '_Vive La France_,' on my lips,
+before I would have uttered so much as a single word."
+
+She made no reply to this. In his anger, the fragile old man seemed
+inspired with the very spirit of patriotism, his withered cheeks took on
+new color, his sunken eyes a new brightness. She felt ashamed--not for
+Richard, for he had spoken only when she had forced him to do so, but
+for herself. The guilt was hers. She was glad that she, too, was
+arrested, that she might have a chance to go before Monsieur Lefevre and
+take upon her shoulders the dishonor which she knew belonged there.
+Silent, she shrank back into her corner, not daring to look up.
+
+"Monsieur Dufrenne," she heard Richard saying, quietly, "be so good as
+to remember that it was I, not my wife, who gave the snuff box to
+Hartmann. You have seen fit to place me under arrest. Very well, I will
+tell my story to Monsieur Lefevre and abide by his decision. But
+meanwhile, I beg that you will treat my wife with courtesy and respect.
+She has had a very trying and terrible experience and I do not wonder
+that she is unnerved. You may not know it, monsieur, but we were married
+but five days ago, and this--" he glanced about the compartment with a
+sad smile--"this, monsieur, is our honeymoon."
+
+The Frenchman sank back, all his anger swept away. "It is pitiful,
+monsieur, pitiful," he said, quietly. "Yet in what I now do, I am but
+doing my duty." He turned to Grace. "Madame, I feel for you in your
+suffering. You acted through love. Of that I am sure. But there is a
+greater love than that of woman for man--the love of country. That is
+the only love I understand." He turned away and sat for a long while
+gazing out of the window.
+
+In what seemed to Grace a very short time, they reached Paris, and here
+she and Richard were conducted to a taxicab and soon found themselves at
+the Prefecture.
+
+Dufrenne left them, to announce his arrival to Monsieur Lefevre, and she
+and her husband sat in an anteroom, closely guarded, waiting until the
+time should arrive for them to be summoned before the Prefect.
+
+The detective was still silent and preoccupied. He said little, but from
+the caressing way in which he placed his hand upon hers, bidding her
+cheer up, Grace knew that his love for her, at least, was left to her.
+"Oh, Richard," she said, softly, turning her face to his, "I am so
+sorry, so sorry! But I could not let you suffer, dear, for I love you--I
+love you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+
+It was characteristic of Monsieur Etienne Lefevre, Prefect of Police of
+Paris, that when he had once placed a case in the hands of one of his
+men, he rarely ever interfered in any way with the latter's conduct of
+it. Reports of progress he did not desire, nor encourage. Success was
+the only report that he asked, and by thus throwing his subordinates
+upon their own responsibility, he obtained from them far better results
+than would have been the case had he kept in constant touch with their
+movements.
+
+Hence when he dispatched Richard Duvall, and Monsieur Dufrenne, the
+little curio dealer of the _Rue de Richelieu_, to London, and the
+former's wife and later on Lablanche to Brussels, he felt that he had
+done all that it was possible to do, to secure the recovery of Monsieur
+de Grissac's stolen snuff box.
+
+He did not, it is true, dismiss the matter from his mind--it was,
+indeed, of too grave and sinister a character to be treated thus
+lightly, but he had the utmost confidence in Duvall, and believed that
+the latter would without doubt succeed in his quest.
+
+Since Duvall's departure, he had waited anxiously for the detective's
+appearance. He did not expect to hear from him, but felt convinced that
+within the next day or two he would walk into his office with the
+missing snuff box in his pocket.
+
+It was with some dismay, therefore, that he received, on the fourth day,
+a sudden visit from Dufrenne. The latter had been released, the day
+before, by the Brussels police, after a most uncomfortable night in a
+cell, an experience for which he knew he had Hartmann to thank, and in
+desperation had decided to place the condition of affairs before his
+chief.
+
+The latter had heard him in silence, and then followed a long
+conference, with the result that Dufrenne returned to Brussels, bearing
+the mysterious message subsequently given to Grace by Lablanche, to play
+_The Rosary_ upon the phonograph.
+
+Since then, the Prefect had been in a state of profound agitation,
+although he carefully concealed the fact from his subordinates. The
+gravity of the issues at stake tortured him ceaselessly, and to add to
+his discomfort, Monsieur de Grissac arrived from London, determined to
+ascertain what progress, if any, had been made toward the recovery of
+his lost property.
+
+He was bitterly disappointed to find that Lefevre was unable to give him
+the slightest encouragement. The box had not, he believed, passed into
+the hands of their enemies, but beyond that he could say nothing.
+
+It was on the day of the Ambassador's arrival that Dufrenne appeared at
+the Prefecture a second time, his face pale and haggard, his eyes
+bloodshot and sunken from loss of sleep, his whole manner indicating
+that he had lately passed through some terrible experience. De Grissac
+was closeted with the Prefect at the time, but the man's appearance, his
+urgent request that he see Monsieur Lefevre at once, gained him an
+immediate audience.
+
+The Prefect and the Ambassador stood awaiting his entrance, their faces
+tense with anxiety. The expression upon the old man's countenance
+confirmed their worst fears. He staggered into the room, grasping the
+back of a chair to support himself. "He has given it up--the
+scoundrel--the traitor; he has given it up, to save himself and his
+wife."
+
+The Ambassador turned away with a groan of despair. Lefevre stepped up
+to Dufrenne. "You mean to tell me," he cried, "that Richard Duvall has
+proven false to his duty? I cannot believe it."
+
+Dufrenne nodded. "He gave it to Hartmann last night. I saw him do it.
+Hartmann had promised to let him go free. They had been torturing him,
+in some way, I do not know how. It was the woman who weakened first. The
+man--Duvall--gave up the box to save her from doing so."
+
+"Then she knew where it was?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+The Prefect went over to the window and looked out over the Seine. His
+emotions almost overcame him. The loss of the box--Duvall's
+faithlessness--his own failure, all plunged him into the deepest
+despair. "_Mon Dieu!_" he muttered to himself. "Duvall--it is
+incredible!"
+
+Suddenly he turned. The Ambassador had begun to question Dufrenne. "What
+did this Dr. Hartmann do, when the box was given to him?" he asked in a
+voice trembling with excitement.
+
+"He pressed the large pearl, pushed aside the cross, and removed the
+paper that was hidden beneath it. He read the paper. It contained
+nothing but a row of numbers. I saw it as he held it beneath the light."
+
+De Grissac became as white as chalk, and turning to Lefevre, cried out,
+in a broken voice, "It is all over. Nothing can be done now. It is too
+late. _Mon Dieu!_ What will become of France?"
+
+"Where is Duvall?" cried the Prefect, suddenly. "I must see him. He is
+not the man to do such a thing as this. I must talk to him. Do not tell
+me that he has run away."
+
+"No, monsieur. He is outside, he and his wife. I have placed them both
+under arrest."
+
+"Were they attempting to escape?"
+
+"No, monsieur. They were coming to Paris."
+
+"At least," the Prefect remarked, mournfully, "he is not cowardly enough
+for that. Bring him here--bring them both here at once. I must question
+them."
+
+Dufrenne turned to the door. "In a moment, monsieur, they will be before
+you."
+
+"What can it avail now?" said De Grissac, sadly.
+
+"We shall see. I never condemn a man without a hearing." As he spoke,
+Duvall and Grace came into the room.
+
+The Prefect looked at his young assistant with an expression both grave
+and sad. He had always been very fond of Duvall--he was fond of him
+still. The whole matter had hurt him very deeply.
+
+"Monsieur Duvall," he said, without further preliminaries, "Monsieur
+Dufrenne tells me that you, after recovering Monsieur de Grissac's snuff
+box from Dr. Hartmann, deliberately returned it to him last night, in
+order to secure your liberty and that of your wife. Is this true?"
+
+"Yes." Duvall's voice was calm, even, emotionless. "It is true."
+
+Lefevre recoiled as though he had received a blow. "Can you dare to come
+before me, and tell me such a thing as that?"
+
+"It was my fault, Monsieur Lefevre," cried Grace, going up to him.
+"Richard begged me not to tell--commanded me not to tell, but they were
+torturing him--they were driving him mad. Oh, I could not stand it--I
+could not!"
+
+"You should have considered your duty, madame, not your husband,"
+remarked the Prefect, coldly, then turned to Duvall.
+
+"Young man," he said, "you have done a terrible thing--perhaps even now,
+you do not realize how terrible a thing. I regret that I did not inform
+you at the time I placed the case in your hands, but the matter is one
+which, at all costs, I wished to have remain a secret. Now it makes
+little difference. Monsieur de Grissac has for many months been carrying
+on with the Foreign Office a correspondence regarding the relations of
+France and England in the matter of Morocco. Many details of action have
+been settled which, in the event of certain eventualities, would
+constitute the joint policy of the two nations. I need hardly say that
+these details and policies are of such a nature as to cause, if known,
+an immediate declaration of war by the third nation involved. This
+correspondence, Monsieur de Grissac, unwilling to trust to the ordinary
+cipher in use for such purposes, carried on in a code of his own; one
+which he regarded as absolutely proof against all attempts at solution.
+That desperate attempts to obtain copies of the correspondence would be
+made he well knew, and in spite of all precautions, our enemies, by
+bribing a subordinate, did, some time ago, manage to secure copies of
+many of the most important letters and documents. Their attempts at
+reading them, however, were fruitless. Without the cipher, and its key,
+they could do nothing.
+
+"How they ultimately learned that the key and the cipher were contained
+in the ivory snuff box, we do not know. Perhaps through Noel, the
+Ambassador's servant, although Monsieur de Grissac is positive that he
+never, under any circumstances, made use of the cipher in the presence
+of a third person. That they did learn the whereabouts of the cipher,
+however, we now realize only too well. When I told you that in the
+missing snuff box lay not only my honor, but the honor of France, I
+indulged in no extravagant statements. It is the solemn truth. Even now,
+by means of the snuff box and key which you have delivered to them, our
+enemies have no doubt read the stolen documents, and are preparing to
+strike while we are as yet unprepared." He strode up and down the room
+in a state of extreme excitement. "As a last desperate chance, I
+attempted to send you a message by means of the phonograph record. I
+hoped you might, in this way, learn the secret of the box, and by
+destroying the key, render it useless. If you hesitated to do this,
+fearing that, should Hartmann discover the key was missing he would
+refuse to liberate you, you are worse than a traitor. You are a
+contemptible coward. Let me tell you, Monsieur Duvall, if I had a son, I
+should rather have struck him dead at my feet, than have had him fail me
+in a crisis like this."
+
+Grace began to weep, hysterically. "It was all my fault," she began. "I
+told them the box was hidden in the room below, against my husband's
+wishes."
+
+"Where were you, then, that you say 'in the room below?'" asked Lefevre
+suddenly.
+
+"In the laboratory, on the second floor. My husband was confined in the
+basement. I said I would tell--for they were killing him. He cried out
+to me--forbidding me to do so. Then they took me away to the room
+above."
+
+"And left your husband alone, with the snuff box in his possession?"
+demanded the Prefect, sternly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For how long?"
+
+"About--about ten minutes," she replied, wondering at his question.
+
+"And you," exclaimed the Prefect, in a voice of fury, turning on Duvall,
+"were left alone in this room, with the snuff box in your possession,
+for ten minutes, at the end of which time you calmly turned it over to
+this fellow Hartmann. _Mon Dieu!_ Why did you not destroy it--crush it
+under your heel--anything, to prevent our enemies from obtaining
+possession of it?" He looked at Duvall, his face working convulsively.
+"You--you are a--_sacre bleu!_--I cannot tell you what I think of you."
+
+"Monsieur de Grissac," asked Duvall, his face white, "had I destroyed
+the box, or even only the key, could you have read these documents
+yourself?"
+
+The Ambassador gazed at him, puzzled for a moment. "Certainly not,
+monsieur," he replied. "I could no more have solved the cipher than they
+could. It was for that reason that I was forced to carry the key about
+with me. But it would have been infinitely better, had the documents
+never again been read, than to have them read by our enemies."
+
+Without making any reply, Duvall placed his hand in his pocket and drew
+out, between his thumb and forefinger, a tiny white pellet, no larger
+than the head of a match. "You are no doubt acquainted, Monsieur de
+Grissac," he said, coolly, "with your own handwriting."
+
+"My handwriting! Naturally. What of it?" He went toward the detective,
+an eager look in his face. Lefevre, Dufrenne, and Grace also crowded
+about, their expressions showing the interest which Duvall's questions
+had aroused.
+
+The detective began to unroll the little white pellet with the utmost
+deliberation. It presently became a tiny strip of tissue paper, not over
+two and a half inches long, upon which was written a series of numbers.
+"Is that, then, your handwriting, monsieur?" he inquired carelessly, as
+he placed the strip of paper in De Grissac's trembling hand.
+
+"_Mon Dieu!_ The key!" fairly shouted the Ambassador, as his eyes fell
+upon the bit of paper. "Monsieur Duvall, what does this mean?"
+
+"It means, monsieur," replied the detective, coolly, "that while I was
+left alone in the room downstairs, I tore off the lower half of your
+key, which luckily, was a sufficient width to enable me to do so, and
+with a fountain pen I had in my pocket, wrote upon this second slip of
+paper a series of numbers taken at random. This series I placed in the
+secret recess in the box. I do not think it will prove of much use to
+our friends in Brussels."
+
+"Duvall!" cried Lefevre, rushing forward with outstretched hands.
+"Forgive me--forgive me!" He was not quick enough, however, to forestall
+Grace, who with one cry of happiness had flung herself into her
+husband's arms. "Richard!" she cried, and then sank sobbing but happy
+upon his breast.
+
+Monsieur Lefevre seized his assistant by the arm and began to shake his
+hand in a way which almost threatened to dislocate the young man's
+shoulder. "My boy," he cried, laughing and crying at the same time,
+"forgive me--forgive me. I was hasty. I should have let you speak,
+first. God be praised, everything is well. De Grissac--think of it--they
+will puzzle their brains over that cipher for weeks and weeks and they
+will discover nothing--nothing! Is it not splendid!" He grasped the
+Ambassador's hand and embraced him with ardor. "Magnificent! Superb!"
+
+The Ambassador was no less overjoyed. "Young man," he said, "we owe you
+the deepest apologies. No one could have done better. I thank you from
+the bottom of my heart." Dufrenne also offered his congratulations. "My
+friend," he said, "I have done you a great injustice. I salute you, not
+only as a brave man, but as a very shrewd one. As for me, I fear I am
+only an old fool."
+
+Duvall patted the old man on the shoulder and smiled. "A patriot,
+monsieur, and for that I honor you. I was luckily able to turn the
+tables on these fellows. But one thing you, and all of you, gentlemen,
+should know. Had I not been able to substitute a false key for the real
+one, the latter would never have passed into Hartmann's hands, if I had
+died for it."
+
+"I know it, my friend. I was a fool, a dolt, even for one moment to
+doubt it. I ask your pardon, and that of madame, your wife," cried
+Lefevre, seizing Duvall's hands in his. Grace looked proudly at her
+husband, her knowledge of her own weakness forgotten in the triumph that
+he had won.
+
+"And now, monsieur," said Duvall, with a look of happiness in his face
+as he caught his wife's glance, "with your permission, Mrs. Duvall and
+myself will begin once more our interrupted honeymoon."
+
+The Prefect put his arm about the detective's shoulder, and gave him an
+affectionate hug. "My poor children," he cried, smiling at Grace. "In my
+excitement, my happiness, I had completely forgotten that you are only
+just married. And such a honeymoon as you have had. It is indeed
+shameful, and the fault is mine--mine alone. But I shall make amends, my
+children. You have rendered both me, and France, a great service, and I
+do not forget it. I insist that to-night you shall dine with me. You, De
+Grissac," he exclaimed, turning to the Ambassador, "will, I know, be one
+of the party. And it is not alone for the purpose of dining that I ask
+you, your service to France shall be acknowledged in a more substantial
+way. Monsieur de Grissac and myself will have the honor to present to
+you, Monsieur Duvall, and to your charming bride, some tokens of our
+gratitude and esteem. After that--go--enjoy your happiness. You have
+earned it." He glanced at his watch. "Madame, you are fatigued. You need
+rest--sleep. I insist that you permit me to send you to my house, where
+Madame Lefevre will have the honor to receive you, and make you
+comfortable. You, Duvall, can in the meantime make your arrangements for
+leaving Paris to-night, and also secure your baggage from the _pension_
+in the _Rue Lubeck_ where it awaits you. I myself will accompany you,
+and render you any assistance in my power; we will then rejoin your wife
+at my house, where Monsieur de Grissac will meet us in time for dinner.
+What do you say?"
+
+Grace clung to her husband's arm. "I'm afraid to leave him, even for a
+minute," she said.
+
+Duvall pressed her hand, and noted her swollen eyes, her white and drawn
+cheeks. "You have had a terrible night, dear," he said, kissing her,
+"and you must have a few hours' rest. Go to Monsieur Lefevre's house,
+and lie down and sleep for a little while. You are so nervous you can
+scarcely stand. I will not be long."
+
+She gave his arm a little squeeze, then turned to the Prefect. "I thank
+you, monsieur, and since my husband thinks it best, I will gladly go to
+your house at once. Good-by, Richard." She accompanied Monsieur Lefevre
+to the door.
+
+Two hours later, Duvall, having made all arrangements for leaving Paris
+for London that night, descended from the Prefect's automobile at the
+latter's house in the _Rue de Courcelles_. Within an hour they had been
+joined by Monsieur de Grissac and were all seated about Monsieur
+Lefevre's hospitable board. Everyone was in jubilant spirits, and in the
+happiness of the moment all the suffering of the past week was
+forgotten. De Grissac presented to the bride a magnificent diamond
+crescent, and to Duvall a gold cigarette-case of exquisite design and
+workmanship, while Monsieur Lefevre, not to be outdone, placed in
+Grace's hand a rare lace shawl which, he assured her, had been worn by a
+Marquise under the Empire. To Duvall he gave a seal ring, with the arms
+of France engraved upon a setting of jade. "It belonged to my father,"
+he said, simply. "With me it is a talisman; you will never ask any favor
+from me in vain."
+
+When M. Lefevre came at last to say good-by to Duvall and his wife,
+there were tears of real sorrow in his eyes. He had no children of his
+own, and the happiness of his two young friends had been his happiness
+as well. The thought that he might never see them again left him with a
+great sense of loneliness.
+
+"Good-by, my dear boy," he said, grasping Duvall's hand in both of his,
+as he stood beside the door of the automobile which was to take the
+happy pair to the railway station. "When you settle down upon that
+little farm in your own country, and raise the chickens, and the pigs,
+and, may I also venture to hope"--he smiled meaningly at Grace--"the
+children, do not forget your old friend Lefevre."
+
+Duvall pressed his hand, while Grace hid her blushes in the darkness of
+the cab.
+
+"I shall never forget, _monsieur_, that to you I owe the possession of
+the sweetest and best wife in the world. We shall meet again, I promise
+you."
+
+"Good! I shall hold you to the promise, _mon ami_. And if you do not
+keep it"--he pointed his finger impressively at the pair in the cab--"I
+shall send for you to assist me in the next difficult case which puzzles
+me, and _voila_! The thing is done. You would not _dare_ to fail me,
+should I call upon you for assistance."
+
+He took Grace's hand and kissed it with old time courtliness, then
+slapped Duvall upon the shoulder.
+
+"Go now, my children. If you stay longer I shall be unable to restrain
+my tears."
+
+As the automobile turned the corner below, its occupants saw the old
+gentleman still standing on the sidewalk, gazing after them and waving
+his handkerchief in farewell.
+
+"Dear old Lefevre," said Duvall, as he drew Grace to him and kissed her.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Ivory Snuff Box, by Arnold Fredericks
+
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