"You have not ventured near Despujol, I hope?" "No. I have hardly ventured into the town." "Good. Well, we shall make a double arrest," he went on. "When the train arrived at the junction at Montlucon at midnight Sanz, evidently fearing lest he was followed, slipped out of the train and into another on the opposite side of the platform. It is a favourite dodge of elusive persons of his type. So, unseen by him, I also joined the train, and we travelled across to Lyons. There he went to a house in the Rue Chevreuil, close to the river, and when I had him safely there I went to the Bureau of Police and asked that observation should be kept upon him until such time that we in Spain should demand his arrest and extradition. The Lyons police know me very well, so two agents were at once detailed for that duty, and I immediately made my way back here. It seems that Sanz is also wanted in France for a motor-car exploit outside Orleans. Therefore our discovery is indeed a lucky one!" "Will Sanz be arrested?" I asked. "Yes. I have already reported by telegram to Señor Andrade in Madrid. He will at once ask them in Paris to order the arrest." "And Despujol?" "We have now to await his journey to Nîmes to keep this mysterious appointment with your friend." "Not my friend," I remarked, "rather with my bitterest enemy!" CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST AT THE HÔTEL LUXEMBOURG As a detective Rivero was of outstanding shrewdness. He knew that more could be gained by patience than by sharp activity. Hence he did not go near the Rue de Lalande. Indeed, on the Saturday night we both left Montauban together, and travelled by that slow, cross-country route through the Aveyron, by way of Sévérac, down to the ancient city of Nîmes--that quaint, quiet old place which contains more monuments of antiquity than any other town in France. Early in the morning we alighted at the station, high upon a viaduct, after a sleepless night, and drove to a small commercial hotel, the Cheval Blanc, in the Place des Arènes, nearly opposite the Luxembourg where the mystery-man of Europe had appointed to meet the infamous Despujol. When I inquired for a telegram one was handed to me. It was from Hambledon, saying that De Gex had left for Nîmes and Suzor was returning to Paris, therefore he would follow the latter. Having installed ourselves in the hotel, Rivero went to the concierge, and taking him into his confidence over a twenty-franc note, told him that he was very anxious to know whether a gentleman named Rabel had arrived at the Luxembourg. Would he ask the concierge there privately on the telephone? The man in uniform at once rang up the Luxembourg, and addressing the concierge as his "dear Henri," made the inquiry. The reply was that Monsieur Rabel was expected at noon. "Ask if a gentleman is expected who has engaged a private sitting-room," Rivero said.