"Thank you," assented Collins. "Of course, I understand," he continued, in a louder voice, as they started toward the door, "that the question of stocks is always a very complicated one, and very difficult for a layman to understand, but a man of your experience--" The door of the elevator-car closed behind them, and he stopped. "Whose benefit was that for?" asked Rushford. "For the benefit of a French police spy, who was trying his best to overhear our conversation." "A police spy? Did you know him?" "I know his class; it's impossible to mistake it. They all look alike--it's a type which even the comic opera has been unable to burlesque. You probably noticed him--all moustache, imperial, and lavender gloves." "Oh, him? Yes, I've seen him. And I've been rather itching to apply my boot to his coat-tails. I thought he was a cheap actor--a ten, twenty, thirty, as we say in America. Do you suppose Pelletan knows him?" "Oh, undoubtedly! He's probably boarding him for nothing. These French police have a way with them." Rushford bit his moustache savagely and resolved to have an explanation with Monsieur Pelletan. The car stopped. "Here we are," he said, stepping out into the corridor. "You see our apartment is just over Lord Vernon's. I don't believe even a French detective can disturb us here," and he locked the door after them as they entered. "Besides, my daughters will be handy if we decide to call them in." Yet, in spite of the plural pronoun, it was quite evident that he was the one who proposed to do the deciding. "Thank you," said Collins, again. "I hope to show you the necessity of calling them in. In fact, the principal favour I want to ask of you is an introduction to them. They can, if they will, save Lord Vernon, and incidentally the government, a lot of trouble." Rushford looked at him with a little stare. "In what way?" he asked, motioning him to a chair. "It happens," answered Collins, "that, by chance, they hold in their hands the key to a very important affair of state--nothing less than the succession to Schloshold-Markheim. They could, if they wished, involve the government in difficulties of the most serious nature." Rushford stared at him yet a moment. Then he settled back in his chair. "Have a cigar?" he asked. "No? You won't mind my smoking? I can think better when I smoke. Now let's have the story; I'm anxious to hear what those girls have been up to. I'm afraid they need a chaperon, after all!" CHAPTER VIII Pride has a fall