Anxious, doubtless, to attract attention, he returned from his cabin with the astounding declaration that the lock had been forced, and the famous ring stolen from his trunk in which it had lain concealed.  He certainly acted his part well, but he did not realize to what consequences it would lead.  The matter was reported to the police, and a search was made through the vessel.  The passengers were naturally indignant at such treatment, and for the rest of the voyage the man found himself taking, what you English ’call the cold shoulder.’  He reached Belfast, made his way into the country, and presently settled down.  Later on, when the pursuit had died down, it was his intention to ship for America, where he was to be joined by the woman, to obtain whom he had in the first place committed the crime.  Now observe the result.  Photographs of the missing man and the murdered woman were circulated all through France, while not a few were sent to England.  One of these pictures reached Plymouth, where it was shown to the officer who had investigated the case on the boat on its way to Ireland.  He immediately recognized the man who had made the charge against his fellow-passengers.  After that it was easy to trace him to Belfast and his hiding-place on land.  Extradition was, of course, granted, and he left the place.  Had he not imagined that in his safety he could indulge his vanities, I confidently believe I should never have found him.  When you come to think of it, it is hard to come to the guillotine for a diamond that never existed, is it not?”

I agreed with him, and then suggested that we should amuse ourselves by endeavouring to find out how the dinner at the Cafe des Ambassadeurs was progressing.

“They will proceed to a theatre afterwards, you may be sure,” my companion said.  “In that case, if you like we could catch a glimpse of them as they come out.  What do you say?”

I answered that I had not the least objection.

“One night does not make much difference.  To-morrow morning I shall make a point of meeting him face to face.”

“Should you require my assistance then, I shall be most pleased to give it to you?” my companion replied.

I thanked him for his offer, and then we left the restaurant together, hailed a cab, and drove to his flat.  It consisted of four rooms situated at the top of a lofty block of buildings near the river.  From his windows he could look out over Paris, and he was wont to declare that the view he received in exchange was the most beautiful in the world.  Fine as it was, I was scarcely so enthusiastic in my praise.

Among other things they were remarkable for the simplicity of their furniture, and also for the fact that in the sitting-room there was nothing to reveal the occupation of their owner.  His clever old servant, Susanne, of whom ’twas said she would, did she but choose, make as clever a detective as her master (she had served him for more than forty years), brought us coffee so quickly that it would almost seem as if she had been aware that we should reach the house at that particular moment.