"Moosseer Piggott!" he cried, and enveloped the Frenchman's slender hand in his great paw, and gave it a squeeze which was no doubt painful. "Glad to see you, sir. Welcome to our city, as we say over here in America. I certainly hope you can speak English, for I don't know a word of your lingo. I'm Commissioner Grady, in charge of the detective bureau; and this is Simmonds, one of my men." M. Pigot's perfect suavity was not even ruffled. "I am most pleased to meet you, sir; and you Monsieur Simmòn," he said. "Yes--I speak English--though, as you see, with some difficulty." "These reporters bothering your life out, I see," and Grady glanced about the group, scowling as his eyes met Godfrey's. "Now you boys might as well fade away. You won't get anything out of either of us to-night--eh, Moosseer Piggott?" "I have but just told them that my first report must be made to you, sir," assented Pigot. "Then let's go somewhere and have a drink," suggested Grady. "I was hoping," said M. Pigot, gently, "that we might go ashore at once. I have my papers ready for you...." "All right," agreed Grady. "And after I've looked over your papers, I'll show you Broadway, and I'll bet you agree with me that it beats anything in gay Paree. Our boat's waiting, and we can start right away. This your bag? Yes? Bring it along, Simmonds," and Grady started for the stair. But the attentive steward got ahead of Simmonds. M. Pigot turned to us with a little smile. "Till to-morrow, gentlemen," he said. "I shall be at the Hotel Astor, and shall be glad to see you--shall we say at eleven o'clock? I am truly sorry that I can tell you nothing to-night." He shook hands with the purser, waved his hand to us, and joined Grady, who was watching these amenities with evident impatience. Together they disappeared down the stair. "A contrast in manners, was it not, gentlemen?" asked Godfrey, looking about him. "Didn't you blush for America?" The men laughed, for they knew he was after Grady, and yet it was evident enough that they agreed with him. "Come on, Lester," he added; "we might as well be getting back. I can send the boat down again after the other boys," and he turned down the stair. CHAPTER XXIV THE SECRET OF THE CABINET