“With all my heart,” I answered.  “There is only one thing I would ask.  What is Mr. Delora’s undertaking?—­To sell his coffee?”

Louis’ inimitable smile spread over his face.

“Ah!” he said, “monsieur is pleased to be facetious!”

Then I knew that I was on the point of learning a little, at any rate, of the truth.

“Mr. Delora has other schemes,” Louis said slowly.

“So I imagined,” I answered.

I saw Louis half turn his head.  There was no change in his tone nor in his expression.  Naturally, therefore, his words sounded a little strangely.

“My conversation with monsieur, for the moment, is finished,” he said.  “There is some one quite close who would give a great deal to overhear.  It follows, therefore, that one says nothing.  If monsieur will grant me a quarter of an hour at any time, in his room, after four o’clock—­”

“At half-past four, Louis,” I answered.

Louis gave a final little twist to my tablecloth and departed with a bow.  I saw then that at the table next to mine, hidden from me, for the moment, by Louis himself, was seated the man who had stood by our side at Charing Cross!

After luncheon I took a taxicab, called on my tailor, looked in at the club, and bought some cigarettes.  The whole of London seemed covered with dust sheets, to smell of paint.  My club was in the hands of furbishers.  My tobacconist was in his house-boat on the Thames.  I met only one or two acquaintances, who seemed so sorry for themselves that their depression was only heightened by recognizing me.  The streets were given over to a strangely clad crowd of pilgrims from other lands,—­American women with short coats, pince nez, and Baedekers, dragging along their mankind in neat suits and outrageous hats.  One seemed to recognize nothing familiar even in the shop-windows.  I was glad enough to get back to the Milan, especially so as in the lift I came upon Felicia.  She started a little at seeing me, and seemed a little nervous.  When the lift stopped at her floor I got out too.

“Let me walk with you to your room,” I said.  “It is nearly four o’clock.”

“If you please,” she answered.  “I wanted to speak to you, Capitaine Rotherby.  There was something I forgot to say before I went out this morning.”

I sighed.

“There is always a good deal that I forget to say when I am with you!” I answered.

She smiled.

“You, too!” she exclaimed.  “You are beginning to say the foolish things!  But never mind, we do not joke now.  I speak seriously.  Louis—­Louis is back, eh?”

“Certainly,” I answered.  “He was in the cafe at luncheon time.”

“Capitaine Rotherby,” she said, as we passed into her room together, “Louis is a very strange person.  I think that he has some idea in his head about you just now.  Will you promise me this,—­that you will be careful?”