“Mille diavoli!” gasped Cusani, striking the table with his fist and sinking back into his chair.  “I recollect I passed outside here a man I know—­a man who knows me.  He was standing on the kerb.  He saw me.  His name is Krail—­Felix Krail!”

“Is he still there?” cried the men, as with one accord they left their chairs and dashed eagerly across to the window.

“Krail!” cried the Russian in alarm.  “Where is he?”

“See!” the Italian pointed out, “see the man in black yonder, standing there near the kiosque, smoking a cigarette.  He is still watching.  He has seen us meet here!”

“Ah!” said the Baron in a hoarse voice, “I said so.  To meet openly like this was far too great a risk.  Nobody knew anything of Lenard et Morellet of the Boulevard des Capucines except that they were unimportant financiers.  To-morrow the world will know who they really are.  Messieurs, we are the victims of a very clever ruse.  We have been so tricked that we have been actually summoned here and our identity disclosed!”

The five monarchs of finance stood staring at each other in absolute silence.

CHAPTER XXXIV

SURPRISES MR. FLOCKART

“Well, you and your friend Felix have placed me in a very pleasant position, haven’t you?” asked Lady Heyburn of Flockart, who had just entered the green-and-white morning-room at Park Street.  “I hope now that you’re satisfied with your blunder!”

The man addressed, in a well-cut suit of grey, a fancy vest, and patent-leather boots, still carrying his hat and stick in his hand, turned to her in surprise.

“What do you mean?” he asked.  “I arrived from Paris at five this morning, and I’ve brought you good news.”

“Nonsense!” cried the woman, starting from her chair in anger.  “You can’t deceive me any longer.”

“Krail has discovered the whole game.  The syndicate held a meeting at the office in Paris.  He and I watched the arrivals.  We now know who they are, and exactly what they are doing.  By Jove! we never dreamed that your husband, blind though he is, is head of such a smart and influential group.  Why, they’re the first in Europe.”

“What does that matter?  Krail wants money, so do we; but even with all your wonderful schemes we get none!”

“Wait, my dear Winnie, remain patient, and we shall obtain plenty.”

It was indeed strange for a woman within that smart town-house, and with her electric brougham at the door, to complain of poverty.  The house had been a centre of political activity in the days before Sir Henry met with that terrible affliction.  The room in which the pair stood had been the scene of many a private and momentous conference, and in the big drawing-room upstairs many a Cabinet Minister had bent over the hand of the fair Lady Heyburn.

Into the newly decorated room, with its original Adams ceiling, its dead-white panelling and antique overmantel, shone the morning sun, weak and yellow as it always is in London in the spring-time.