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Rh her greeting suggest this idea. Her eyes fastened on me with the avid look that I had seen there before and her breath came quickly as she spoke.

"Oh, Frank! Frank!" she murmured, as I bent over her hand. "What a lot of trouble you do make us!"

"I'm not altogether free from it myself," I answered. "But you must remember that you began it all."

"And we are apt to end it unless you show a little sense," she retorted, smiling.

There was a sound in the corridor, and I felt myself harden up. Léontine noticed it and laughed.

"For shame, Frank! It's only Victor to announce déjeuner. Surely you don't think I'd set traps for you in my own house?"

"The idea never entered my head," I answered, "until I saw Chu-Chu sitting in front of the café opposite. Considering that you had told me"

"Chu-Chu!" she whispered; then was silent. Victor announced that she was served and I followed her into the charming little dining-room. There were places for three.

"Ivan said he would try to get in for an ice and coffee," said Léontine.

Victor served us, then went out.

"Help yourself to wine, Frank," said Léontine. "That is Chablis by you and Chambertin in the other decanter. Now tell me what you mean by saying that Chu-Chu was in the café opposite. He had a rendezvous with Ivan at this hour."

"Then he failed to keep it," I answered.

"How was he dressed?"