"There is no doubt, however, this Grand Duchess Alexandra should be well posted ... now. She has formally promised the King that his diamond will be found in the possession of our man ... who will be under arrest this evening...." "You believe that?" questioned M. Lepine, with a skeptical smile. "Well, I believe in the arrest--that is certain; but whether we shall find the diamond is another matter." Juve's first impulse was to make himself known to his chief; but on second thoughts he decided to keep silent. He had gathered from the conversation that the arrest of Fantomas was imminent. That, of course, was satisfactory in every respect. The conversation continued and, as he listened, Juve could not help smiling. "They are all right! They realize the work I've done and they want me to reap the reward of it." M. Lepine had, in fact, asked M. Annion: "You are quite sure Juve will be at the Gare du Nord this evening?" "Quite sure; I have given him orders to that effect." Juve decided it was not worth while going home to get the order. Evidently they counted upon him to be at the Station at nine o'clock; ostensibly to assist at the departure of the King, in reality to arrest Fantomas. The detective moved away, there was not a moment to spare. Whatever happened it was absolutely necessary that he should have an interview with Lady Beltham. In her small oriental salon, the Grand Duchess Alexandra sat chatting with Wulf, about five o'clock in the evening. "Really, Monsieur Wulf, you are an extraordinary man, and your intelligence is amazing." "Madame is too indulgent," replied Wulf, beaming. "Oh no, I am only fair to you; I know you are a man of value and that is why I have been at pains to re-establish you in the good graces of your sovereign." Since her return to the America Hotel, Alexandra had been exceedingly busy. To begin with, she had received a visit from her lover, the Marquis de Serac. A long conversation in low tones had taken place, and the Marquis had left her, nervous and agitated. The adventuress had then put on a smiling face to meet the ridiculous Wulf, and after some mysterious and complicated business with him had been transacted, she had ended by loading the officer with outrageous compliments and saying: "And now, thanks to you, Monsieur Wulf, the elusive Fantomas is about to be arrested. Be assured the King will give you the very highest proof of his gratitude for this service. Your position at the Court of Hesse-Weimar will be more important than ever." * * * * * Night had fallen and the lamps of the Paris streets were lit up. At the corner of the Boulevard Malesherbes and the Avenue de Villiers, not far from the door of the America Hotel, a man was seated on a bench; he seemed to be merely resting; but in reality he was closely watching each individual who entered and left the Hotel. This man was Juve. He began rubbing his hands with a satisfied air.