"I can only repeat," he said, harshly, "what I said before, Monsieur le Prefet--namely, that you credit me with a knowledge which I do not possess. Further, that while, of course, I appreciate the kindly motive which has inspired your visit, I think I have a right to resent the suspicions which that visit indicates, I do not say on your part, but on that of your subordinates. I will not disguise from you my knowledge that for the last two days every step I have taken has been dogged; I suspect also, but of that I have no proof, that my servants, and the concierge of this house, have been questioned as to my movements, as to my daily life. I cannot help also suspecting--perhaps in this I am wrong--that the police are inclined to believe that Mrs. Pargeter--a woman, let me remind you, Monsieur le Prefet, of the highest and most unspotted character--is hiding here, in my chambers! You speak of having saved me from a perquisition,--a perquisition in the rooms of a diplomatist is a serious matter, Monsieur le Prefet, and I tell you quite frankly that I should have resisted such an outrage in every way in my power! But now, in the present very peculiar circumstances, I request,--nay, I demand,--that you should search my rooms. Every possible facility shall be afforded you." Vanderlyn's voice was shaking with undisguised anger,--aye, and disgust. The Prefect of Police rose from his chair. "I have no wish to subject you to any indignity," he said earnestly, "I absolutely accept your assurance that Mrs. Pargeter is not in hiding here. I am aware, Mr. Vanderlyn, that Americans do not lie,"--an ironic smile wavered for a moment over his large mouth. Vanderlyn's face remained impassive. "You, on your side, must forgive my heat," he said, quietly. Then he suddenly determined to play for a high stake. "May I ask you to satisfy my curiosity on one point? What made you first suspect such a thing? What led you to--to suppose----" "----That you knew where this lady was; that she might--say, after a little misunderstanding with her husband--have taken refuge with you? Well, yes, Mr. Vanderlyn, I admit that you have a right to ask me this, and it was because I feared you might lack the exquisite courtesy you have shown me, that I brought with me to-night a document which contains, in what I trust you will consider a discreet form, an answer to your delicate question." Vanderlyn's visitor again sat down; he laid open on his knee the leather portfolio, and out of it he took a large sheet of foolscap, which, unfolding, he handed to Laurence Vanderlyn. "This, Monsieur, is your _dossier_. If you can prove to me that it is incorrect in any particular, I will see that the error is rectified. We naturally take special care in compiling the _dossiers_ of foreign diplomatists, for experience has shown that these often become of great value, even after the gentlemen in question have left Paris for some other capital."