Would it be a good advertisement for the famous George Fairfax to have it known that, while he was taking his clients’ money he was dining pleasantly in Paris with the man they were paying him to find?  I laid my trap for you, but I must confess that I had not very much faith in its success.  Your experience should have made you more wary.  A student of human character, such as you are, should know that the leopard cannot change his spots, or the tiger his——­”

“If you continue in this strain much longer,” I said, “I’ll endeavour to stop your tongue, whatever it may cost me.  Now, either let me out, or get out of the room yourself.  I want to see no more of you while I am in this house.”

He blew a cloud of smoke, and then said nonchalantly—­

“You had better occupy yourself thanking your stars that you are let off so easily.  At one time I was tempted to have you put out of the way altogether.  I am not quite certain it wouldn’t be safer, even now.  It could be done so easily, and no one would be any the wiser.  I know two men now in Paris who would gladly run the risk for the sake of the ill-will they bear you.  I must think it over.”

“Then think it over on the other side of that door,” I said angrily.  “Play the same traitorous trick on me as you did on Kitwater and Codd if you like, but you shall not stay in the same room with me now.”

My reference to Kitwater and Codd must have touched him on a raw spot, for he winced, and then tried to bluff it off.

“I rather fancy Messrs. Kitwater and Codd will just have such kindly things to say concerning you in the future as they do about me now,” he said, as he moved towards the door.  “And now I will wish you good-bye.  As I leave Paris almost immediately, I don’t suppose I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again.  For your own sake I should advise you to be quiet.  I might tell you once and for all that you can’t get out.  The door is a stout one, and the windows are exceptionally well barred.  The men to whom I have assigned the duty of looking after you are in their way honest, though a little rough.  Moreover, they are aware that their own safety depends to a very great extent upon your not getting out.  Believe me, if you do not know already, that there is nothing like fear for making a good watch-dog.  Farewell, friend Fairfax!  You have been instrumental in sending a good many men into durance vile; you can tell me later how you like being there yourself.”

With that he went out, shutting the door behind him.  I heard the key turn in the lock, and a bolt shot at top and bottom.  I thereupon went to the window and examined it, only to discover that it was made secure on the outside by large iron bars.  So far as I could see, there was no other way of escape from the room.

Though I laid down on the bed I did not sleep; my thoughts would not permit of that.  The face of the woman who had trusted me so profoundly was before me continually, gazing at me with sweet reproachful eyes.  Oh! what a fool I had been to accept that rascal’s invitation!  The more I thought of it, the angrier I became with myself.  Now, goodness only knew how long I should be confined in this wretched place, and what would happen during my absence from the world!