“I mean that, although my men believe that they can put their hands upon her at any moment of the day or night, while they watch her, yet—yet the things that I have attempted to describe, happen.” “Who is the man who telephoned to you just now, chief?” “Louis Mouquin; one of my best men. There is no better detective in Paris to-day, and not another one who is as good at shadowing.” “He has shadowed her before, has he not?” “Yes. Many times.” “Then you can rely upon it she is ‘onto his curves,’ all right.” “She is—what?” “She knows the man and his methods. No matter how good he is, he is no good so far as she is concerned.” “What, then, would you do, Carter? I am quite willing to take any suggestion from you that you can make.” “Very well, then, I will make this one. I’ll take the job of trailing that woman myself.” “You, Carter?” “Yes.” “For me? For this department?” “Certainly; only, if I do that—for you, and not wholly for myself—you must call off your own men and leave it all to me alone.” For the fraction of a moment the chief hesitated. Then a quiet smile stole across his face, and he replied: “Very well. It shall be done. I appoint you—without pay; eh?” “Certainly. I am now a special, under your orders; but there is one other thing I must have, chief.” “What is that?” “Authority.” “Eh? What sort of authority?” “A written appointment over your signature; a badge; anything. I don’t care what it is, so long as it bestows the authority I want and gives me the command over any of your men whom I may chance to meet.” “You shall have that. I will give you the badge which will place you next in authority to me. That place happens to be vacant just now. It shall be yours so long as you remain in Paris. And I will send you to Mouquin. He will show you to what place——” “Pardon me, chief, but I would prefer it in another way.” “Well? As you please. What, then?” “I will sit right here until Mouquin telephones to this office again. When he does so, you will tell him to bring The Leopard here to you. If she should hesitate to come——” “Oh, she will not do that. She will probably be delighted to come here.” “Indeed? Well, I will remain here till she arrives. I will see her here.” “And then——” “Chief, you and I work on different plans and by different methods; but we work to the same ends.” “Assuredly.” “In the case of a person like this woman something new and entirely original has to be undertaken. There are circumstances where I think it is best to play your cards, face up, on the table, and this is one of them. When she arrives here you will see what I mean.” “Do you intend to let her know that you are to take the trail after her, and that——” “Exactly, chief. But, wait until she arrives. You have other business to attend to now. I will amuse myself with these books here until Mouquin telephones. After that, he will not be long in bringing the woman here, will he?” “No. Very well. As you say, my friend.”