“Halloa, Burrell,” cried the genial Mr. Codey on seeing him, “you seem excited. What’s the matter now?” “I didn’t know that I had anything to be excited about,” Burrell replied with a smile at the lawyer’s attempt to draw him out. “I only thought I would drop in upon you, sir, to let you know that I am leaving for the Continent first thing to-morrow morning. I may be away a week, possibly a fortnight. I’m not able to put a definite time upon it, for it will all depend upon circumstances.” “Then I suppose, as usual, you are beginning to find yourself on the right track,” the lawyer remarked drily. “And, just as usual, sir, I reply that that’s as may be,” said the other. “I don’t deny that I’ve got hold of a piece of information that may eventually put me on the proper line--but I’ve got to sift it first--before I can act upon it. That’s why I’m going abroad.” “Don’t be any longer than you can help about it, then,” returned the lawyer. “You know when the trial comes off?” “As well as you do, sir! That’s why I want to get away at once. There’s no time to be wasted--that’s if we’re to be properly posted.” “Well, then, good-bye, and may good luck go with you.” Next morning Burrell, acting on the plan he had made, left London for Paris, with the portion of cigarette in his pocket. CHAPTER XIV The first night of his sojourn in Paris was spent at the residence of a friend who was also a well-known Stamp Collector. They dined at a Restaurant together, and spent the remainder of the evening at a Café discussing matters connected with their joint hobby. Had one looked in upon Jacob Burrell then, as he sat sipping a glass of brandy and water, it would have been difficult to imagine that this man who was so emphatic and precise about Water Marks, Bâtonné Papers, Misprints, and Fudges, was in Paris for the sole reason of elucidating a terrible crime, and in the hope of bringing the criminal to justice.