‘I don’t mean packing. Do you distinctly tell me no other special object was included?’ ‘Certainly, but I suppose I’d better explain the whole thing.’ He stirred the embers of the fire together, threw on a couple of logs and settled himself more comfortably in his chair. CHAPTER V FELIX TELLS A STORY ‘I am a Frenchman, as you know,’ began Felix, ‘but I have lived in London for some years, and I run over to Paris frequently on both business and pleasure. About three weeks ago on one of these visits I dropped into the Café Toisson d’Or in the rue Royale, where I joined a group of acquaintances. The conversation turned on the French Government lotteries, and one of the men, a M. Le Gautier, who had been defending the system, said to me, “Why not join in a little flutter?” I refused at first, but afterwards changed my mind and said I would sport 500 francs if he did the same. He agreed, and I gave him £20 odd as my share. He was to carry the business through in his name, letting me know the result and halving the profits, if any. I thought no more about the matter till last Friday, when, on my return home in the evening, I found a letter from Le Gautier, which surprised, pleased, and annoyed me in equal measure.’ Mr. Felix drew a letter from a drawer of his writing-table and passed it to the Inspector. It was in French, and though the latter had a fair knowledge of the language, he was not quite equal to the task, and Mr. Felix translated. The letter ran as follows:-- ‘Rue de Vallorbes, 997, ‘Avenue Friedland, ‘Paris. ‘Thursday, _1st April, 1912._ ‘MY DEAR FELIX,--I have just had the most wonderful news! _We have won!_ The lottery has drawn trumps and our 1000 francs has become 50,000--25,000 francs each! I shake both your hands! ‘The money I have already received, and I am sending your share at once. And now, old chap, do not be very annoyed when I tell you I am playing a little trick on you. I apologise.