“I forgive you for the deception which you allowed me to practice upon myself that night when you came to my house. It was a clever ruse, monsieur, and most remarkable for a boy of your years. My best man could scarcely excel it.” Ethan laughed. “You do me too much honor, M. Fochard. It was chance that took me to your house, and chance that carried the matter on.” “Very modest--very commendable,” said the other with a wave of his hand. “But I prefer to believe that it was a set plan; it would not do for Fochard to admit that he was outwitted by blind chance.” He had been sitting sipping his black coffee at a table directly behind; now he dragged his chair forward to theirs and sat twirling the heavy seals upon his watch-guard. He spent a few moments in silent contemplation of both; then he asked: “Would it be too much if I inquired how you learned that Siki had returned to Paris?” “I did not know that he had,” returned Ethan. The secret agent regarded him with a smile. “My dear fellow,” said he stretching his trim silk stockinged legs beneath the table, “how can you say that when the man sits before you?” As he spoke he made a gesture toward the three men at the door; Ethan glanced at the man in the cloak; he caught sight of a dark, long-fingered subtle looking hand which was thrust from beneath it. It was true; this man must be the Lascar. “You must not think to deceive me again, young gentleman,” said Fochard. He rearranged his elaborate shirt frill and the huge ruffles of lace which he wore at his wrists, and smiled. “There sits Siki, bravely before us,” he continued. “But tell me what you think of the other two.” “They look to me like rascals,” answered Ethan, promptly. “Ah!” and the secret agent seemed greatly interested. “You have studied physiognomy then.” But Ethan shook his head. “Ah! that is a pity! The study of the human countenance is a great and vital thing; all men, especially those engaged in duties that bring them into contact with the motives and secret doings of other men should study this grand science.” He seemed to be upon a subject which interested him greatly, and continued: “By it we are forearmed, safeguarded. We at once know the tendencies of strangers, and so it saves us many disasters in our affairs; for those whom this philosophy warns us against we do not trust.” “I suppose not,” answered Ethan, vaguely. “It is a matter of great ease,” went on the man, crossing his silk stockinged legs and smoothing his ruffles with one many-ringed hand, “to discover the tendencies of our friends there at the door, for they carry their vocations plainly writ upon their faces. Note the leaner of the two Frenchmen--the pointed and protruding jaw, the outstanding ears, the eyes set close together, the low brow, the nose slightly hooked. It is a countenance whose message is unmistakable. To one who knows it cries out ceaselessly--beware, beware!”