THE ARREST OF FANTOMAS "Good evening, Monsieur Caldoni, so you are starting soon?" "Yes, Monsieur Vicart, it's customary and also my duty, every time a sovereign, a crowned head, takes the train..." "You stick as close to him as possible until he has reached the frontier. Well, I'm not sorry to see you here," continued Vicart, "for now my job is over." "And mine just beginning, worse luck." "Oh! you have only a few hours of it; you travel luxuriously in a special train..." "One gets tired of that pretty soon. Last week I took the Dowager Queen of Italy to Menton; then jumped to the Spanish frontier to pick up the King of Spain; now it's the King of Hesse-Weimar--to-morrow, who knows?" The station was decorated gaily in honor of the departing Frederick-Christian. In a private room, a number of the guests, especially invited, were waiting the arrival of the Sovereign. While M. Vicart, in company with a special agent, made a rapid examination of the station and satisfied himself that all preparations had been thoroughly carried out, M. Caldoni was talking to the station-master. "The King's special train is to start exactly at 10.17, that is to say, it will follow, at an interval of 10 minutes number 322." "The 322 is the Cologne express, isn't it?" inquired M. Caldoni. "Yes, the Cologne express." * * * * * In the meantime a vast crowd of the curious who had learned of the departure of the King by the evening papers, filled the waiting-rooms and platforms. Journalists were grouped apart and the invited guests included numerous persons of quality. Among them was Baron Weil, member of the Council of Administration, and delegated to represent it at the ceremony of departure. Lieutenant Colonel Bonnival was also there to represent the State. At the station entrance, M. Havard stood alone, waiting the arrival of the automobile which contained M. Annion, in attendance upon the King. * * * * * Making his way noiselessly in and out of the crowd, Juve gradually drew near the front ranks and reached the cordon of special officers whose duty it was to bar the way to the platform of departure. Here Juve ran into Michel, and the two men silently shook hands. Juve was about to show his card, but Michel smiled: "No need for you to show it, Juve." The detective now mingled with the guests, and as he reached the reception-room he moved behind a lady who had just arrived. Waiting a favorable opportunity he approached her: "Pardon me," he began in a dry voice, "one moment, please." The lady turned sharply: "Monsieur, who are you? What do you want?" "I am Juve, of the Secret Service." "And I am the Grand Duchess Alexandra, relative of the King of Hesse-Weimar." "No, you are Lady Beltham. I recognize you and it will be no use to deny it." The adventuress started panting, in her eyes a look of fear. "Ah," she stammered.