“Three men were present,” Godensky answered.  “Besides the two of whom you think, there was another:  a lawyer who speaks English.  It is permitted nowadays that a foreigner, if he demands it, can be accompanied by his legal adviser when he goes before the Juge d’Instruction.  Otherwise, his lack of knowledge of the language might handicap him, and cause misunderstandings which would prejudice his case.”

He paused a moment, but I did not reply.  I knew that Ivor Dundas spoke French as well as I; but I was not going to tell this Russian that fact.

“The adviser your friend has chosen,” Godensky went on, “happens to be a protege of mine.  I made him—­gave him his first case, his first success; and have employed him more than once since.  Odd, what a penchant Mr. Dundas seems to have for men in whom I, too, have confidence!  Last night, it was Girard.  To-day, it is Lenormand.”

This was a blow, and a heavy one; but I wouldn’t let Godensky see that I winced under it.

“You keep yourself singularly well-informed of the movements of your various proteges,” I said—­“as well as those of your enemies.  But if the information in the one case is no more trustworthy than in the other—­why, you’re not faithfully served.  I’ve good reason to know that you’ve made several mistakes lately, and you’re likely to make more.”

“Thanks for the warning.  But I hope you don’t call yourself my ’enemy’?”

“I don’t know of a more appropriate name—­after the baseness that you haven’t even tried to hide, in your dealings with me.”

“I thought all was fair in love and war.”

“Do you make war on women?”

“No—­I make love to them.”

“To many, I dare say.  But here is one who won’t listen.”

“At least you will listen while I go on with the news I came to tell?”

“Oh, yes, I confess to being curious.  No doubt what you say will be interesting—­even if not accurate.”

“I can promise that it shall be both.  I called on Lenormand as soon as I learned what had happened—­that he’d been mixed up in this case—­and expressed myself as extremely concerned for the fate of his client, friends of whom were intimate friends of mine.  So you see, there was no question of treachery on Lenormand’s part.  He trusts me—­as you do not.  Indeed, I even offered my help for Dundas, if I could give it consistently with my position.  Naturally, he told me nothing which could be used against Dundas, so far as he knew, even if I wished to go against him—­which my coming here ought to prove to you that I do not.”

“I read the proof rather differently,” I said.  “But go on.  I’m sure you are anxious to tell me certain things.  Please come to the point.”

“In a few words, then, the point is this:  One of the most important questions put by the Juge d’Instruction, after hearing from Mr. Dundas the explanation of a document found on him by the police—­ah, that wakes you up, Mademoiselle!  You are surprised that a document was found on the prisoner?”