Page:Rowland--The closing net.djvu/207

Rh pulled a newspaper from his pocket and appeared to be reading.

"He may expect to be followed," I answered, "because the woman whom he is visiting is suspected of being a Nihilist. So far the police have never disturbed her because she is under the protection of Prince Kharkoff"

"It is Léontine Petrovski?" she asked breathlessly.

"Yes," I answered.

"And she is the woman whom you love?"

"I love her no longer."

"But you are jealous of her. It comes to the same thing. I understand. You wish to be revenged, and so you want to find out more about this man. Isn't that true?"

"To some extent," I answered. "But I will tell you another thing. The chauffeur is a friend of the man who is in La Petrovski's house. I could learn more, perhaps, from watching him than from watching the other. If you are free"

"Look!" she interrupted, and dropped her hand on my sleeve.

For Léontine's garden door had swung open, and out came Léontine herself, followed by the dark man whom I recognised from Ivan's description as Chu-Chu's manservant, or pal, or whatever he was. Chu-Chu, with a quick sidelong glance, got down to start his motor.

"Come, then," said the Countess Rosalie, loud enough for those about us to hear. "I will set you on your way."

"You are very kind," I answered, and followed