"I am charmed to meet your friends, madame," said Zirknitz, in good enough English, but with a pronounced foreign accent. "And the names?" "This is Mr. Cass; that gent is Dr. Ellis." The smile died away on the Austrian's lips. "Ellis!" he said, in a hesitating manner, "and a doctor--of Dukesfield?" "Yes, M. Zirknitz," replied Ellis, grimly, "of Dukesfield." "You saw the body of my poor friend Moxton?" "Yes. Were you a friend of his?" "The best friend he had, monsieur. If I knew who killed him so cruelly, I would spend my life trying to bring him to justice. _Helas!_" "H'm!" repeated Cass. "So you think a man killed Moxton?" "I go by the evidence at the inquest," said Zirknitz, with a bow. "The doctor explained at the inquest that a man must have struck the blow." "I said that indeed, M. Zirknitz. But a woman may be mixed up in the matter." "Here, all of you!" cried Polly, with impatient good humour, "I can't have you three talking here all night. I want to dress and go home to my chicks. Rudolph, you must come and see me on another night. Mr. Cass, doctor, look up yours truly whenever you get a chance, and good-night to you, my dears." In this way the star bustled them out of her dressing-room, and the three men repaired to the front of the house. It seemed, indeed, that Zirknitz was inclined to leave them, but after a glance at the haggard face of Ellis he changed his mind. Cass invited him to sit at their table, which he did, and accepted a lemon-squash. "I never take anything stronger," he said gracefully. "It is bad for the nerves; it makes the hand shake." "I can understand that as applying to a doctor like myself, M. Zirknitz, but to you--how does it apply to you? What profession do you follow that requires nerve?" "I play cards, doctor. I earn my living in that way; and, let me tell you, one who does so must have a steady hand, a clear brain, and nerves of steel." As he spoke, Schwartz, all alone, strolled past. He nodded to the Austrian, but frowned slightly when he saw him with Ellis. Then pausing by the table, he tapped Cass on the shoulder with a plump, beringed hand. "Mr. Cass, mine goot frend, vill you with me gome? I haf pisness with you that gannot wait." "Is there money in it, Schwartz?" The German cast another look at Zirknitz, who was trifling with a cigarette which he took out of a handsome silver case. "I dink zo," he said pointedly. "In that case I'll come. Wait for me here, Ellis. M. Zirknitz, I wish you good-evening," and Cass went off in high spirits with the fat Schwartz, so that Ellis and the Austrian were left alone. The table at which they were seated was placed at a comparatively secluded corner, out of the crush of people and the glare of the light. Yet, quiet though it was, Zirknitz, after a glance round, appeared to be annoyed by the position. "Will you come to my box, monsieur?" he said, rising. "I fancy it is more comfortable there." "But my friend Cass?"