"I denied nothing," said I. "I invited you to look for yourself. The wood is equally at your disposal. I regret--or, rather I do not regret--to be unable to assist you." Then, to my amazement, he said: "You, too, are in this affair, I presume. You will find it serious." "What affair? Monsieur is enigmatical and anything but courteous." "You are insulting, and my friends will ask you to-morrow to explain your conduct. I think you will further regret your connection with this matter." "With what matter?" I broke in. "This passes endurance." "I fancy you need no explanation. I presume that at least you will not hesitate to inform me of your name." As he spoke his coachman called out to him to hold his horse for a moment, and before I could answer, he turned aside toward the man. I followed him, took out my card-case, and said as I gave him a card, "This will sufficiently inform you who and what I am." As I spoke he in turn gave me his card, saying: "I am the Count le Moyne. I shall have the honor to ask through my friends for an explanation." He was evidently somewhat cooler. As he spoke I knew his name as that of a recently appointed under-secretary of the Foreign Office. I had never before seen him. As we parted I said: "I shall be at home from eleven until noon to-morrow." We lifted our hats, and the two carriages having been put in condition, I drove away, with enough to think about and with some wonder as to what had become of Alphonse. IV After a slow drive with a lame horse I reached my club, where I attended to a small matter, and then, as the rain was over, walked to my rooms. A bath and a change of garments left me free to consider the adventure and its too probable results. What was meant by the affair? It was really a somewhat bewildering business. I looked at the count's card. His name was, as I have said, somewhat unfamiliar, although it was part of duty at our legation to learn all I could in the upper social life of Paris where, at this time, we had few friends and many foes. If, still unsatisfied, he chose to look up my driver, I felt that the man would readily tell all he knew. The count had said I was in the affair. A confederate? What affair? I could not--indeed, I did not mean to--explain how I came to be with the woman, nor to admit that there was a woman concerned. There had been, however, enough to make me sure that in that case I might have to face a duel, and that the next day I should hear from this angry gentleman. But who was my handsome and terrified companion, and what was the affair?