“M. le Marquis is my friend.  I will be guarantee for this trifling amount.”

The proprietor and head waiter stammered excuses.  Private secretary of M. le Duc d’Otrante!  Think of it!  It is not often that such personages deign to frequent the .restaurants of Montmartre.  M. le Marquis, on the other hand, looked completely bewildered, whilst I, taking advantage of the situation, seized him familiarly by the arm, and leading him toward the door, I said with condescending urbanity: 

“One word with you, my dear Marquis.  It is so long since we have met.”

I bowed to the ladies.

“Mesdames,” I said, and was gratified to see that they followed my dramatic exit with eyes of appreciation and of wonder.  The proprietor himself offered me my hat, and a moment or two later M. de Firmin-Latour and I were out together in the Rue Lepic.

“My dear Comte,” he said as soon as he had recovered his breath, “how can I think you? . . .”

“Not now, Monsieur, not now,” I replied.  “You have only just time to make your way as quickly as you can back to your palace in the Rue de Grammont before our friend the proprietor discovers the several mistakes which he has made in the past few minutes and vents his wrath upon your fair guests.”

“You are right,” he rejoined lightly.  “But I will have the pleasure to call on you to-morrow at the Palais du Commissariat.”

“Do no such thing, Monsieur le Marquis,” I retorted with a pleasant laugh.  “You would not find me there.”

“But—­” he stammered.

“But,” I broke in with my wonted business-like and persuasive manner, “if you think that I have conducted this delicate affair for you with tact and discretion, then, in your own interest I should advise you to call on me at my private office, No. 96 Rue Daunou.  Hector Ratichon, at your service.”

He appeared more bewildered than ever.

“Rue Daunou,” he murmured.  “Ratichon!”

“Private inquiry and confidential agent,” I rejoined.  “My brains are at your service should you desire to extricate yourself from the humiliating financial position in which it has been my good luck to find you, and yours to meet with me.”

With that I left him, Sir, to walk away or stay as he pleased.  As for me, I went quickly down the street.  I felt that the situation was absolutely perfect; to have spoken another word might have spoilt it.  Moreover, there was no knowing how soon the proprietor of that humble hostelry would begin to have doubts as to the identity of the private secretary of M. le Duc d’Otrante.  So I was best out of the way.

3.

The very next day M. le Marquis de Firmin-Latour called upon me at my office in the Rue Daunou.  Theodore let him in, and the first thing that struck me about him was his curt, haughty manner and the look of disdain wherewith he regarded the humble appointments of my business premises.  He himself was magnificently dressed, I may tell you.  His bottle-green coat was of the finest cloth and the most perfect cut I had ever seen.  His kerseymere pantaloons fitted him without a wrinkle.  He wore gloves, he carried a muff of priceless zibeline, and in his cravat there was a diamond the size of a broad bean.