His recollections of it were not agreeable. The close atmosphere, the green light, the walls hung with mystical insignia, the purple-robed woman who had so baffled his usual keen reasoning, and the touch of whose hand lingered with him as when a person has touched the hand of a corpse—all had left upon him a disagreeable impression, as when one has meddled with things pertaining to the black arts. He found Madame Victoria seated at the table, as before, looking more like a sorceress to him than ever, as he stepped gravely over the threshold. The woman looked up from the card between her thumb and fingers, and Nick thought he detected a subtle light leap up from the depths of her brilliant eyes. It vanished so quickly that he could not feel sure of it, however, despite that he was now alert for the slightest betrayal that might be of significance to him. Madame Victoria was the first to speak. “Take a chair, sir,” said she, smiling a bit oddly. “Your card informs me that you are Detective Carter, of New York.” “Yes, madame.” “My maid said you desire a business interview with me.” “If you please.” “Business from my standpoint, or your own?” inquired Madame Victoria, still smiling. “In other words, Detective Carter, does your visit relate to your business or to mine?” “The business is ours,” said Nick pointedly. “Ah, sort of a mutual interest,” laughed the woman, with a captivating glance at him. “Precisely.” “Then, since you have not called to consult me professionally,” said the madame, “I shall feel free to drop my usual mental attitude, that of holding myself susceptible to outward impressions, and receive you more conventionally. About what do you wish to see me, Detective Carter?” Nick instinctively felt that he was already being headed off by the woman, and he saw, with half an eye, if he had not seen it before, that he was up against a remarkably shrewd and clever character, one who was nearly his equal in diplomacy and cunning. Nick briefly set aside the motive with which he had called, therefore, and reverted to the business which primarily had sent him to Madame Victoria’s rooms. “I wish to ask you a few questions,” said he. “About what?” “About the recent robbery of yourself and Mrs. Badger, of Brookline.” “Ah, indeed!” “I am engaged by Chief Weston, of the local police department, to investigate some of these highway robberies committed about here, and to undertake the arrest of the culprits.” “Dear me! I am delighted to hear it, Detective Carter, and I do hope you’ll succeed,” exclaimed Madame Victoria, now displaying a very vivacious interest. “I hope so, too.” “I have lost some valuable jewels, and so has Claudia—that’s Mrs. Badger, sir—and I should be more than glad to recover them.” “No doubt.” “Or to aid you in hastening the arrest and conviction of the thieves,” added the woman. “In what way can I assist you, Detective Carter?” “By answering a few questions for me, madame——” “Pardon!” she interposed.