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Updated: June 28, 2025
"If he is," I said, "it is certainly not you who needs to be anxious. There can be no question as to whom he is watching. You must remember that although those mysterious people up at the Place d'Anjou may be powerful in their way, they would have to be very clever indeed to protect me absolutely. It is pretty well known over here that I had threatened to kill Tapilow wherever I met him."
There is a chance that we may have to move Tapilow to a hospital, and he is just one of those fools who talk. Monsieur Grisson insists upon it that you leave Paris by the four o'clock train this afternoon." I shook my head. "I could not catch it," I declared. "It is half-past three now." "On the other hand, you can and you must," Louis answered.
"It is our pleasure to save you from the unpleasant consequences which would certainly have befallen you in any other place than the Cafe des Deux Epingles after your shall we say misunderstanding? with James Tapilow." "I admit my indebtedness, Louis," I answered. "Will you do something to repay it?" Louis asked, raising his eyes to mine. "You will have to tell me what it is first," I said.
My brother showed no excitement scarcely, even, any interest in my information. His face, however, had darkened. "I am glad that you did not kill him outright," he said. "Tell me, are you likely to get into any trouble for this?" "No!" I assured him. "The affair happened in a very dubious sort of place. I don't think I shall hear anything more about it unless from Tapilow himself." Ralph nodded.
"They are men," Louis answered, "who have great influence in that world of which I spoke. The law cannot touch them, or if it could it would not. They wield a power greater than the power which drives the wheels of government in this country. If they hear your story, and they think well, you will go free, even though the man Tapilow should die." "You believe this, Louis?" I asked curiously.
Louis nodded. "Tapilow is in an hospital and he will live," Louis declared slowly, "but all his life he will limp, and all his life he will carry a scar from his forehead to his mouth." I nodded meditatively. "It is, perhaps," I answered, "a more complete punishment." I fancied that in Louis' green eyes there shot for a moment a gleam of something like admiration.
Then Louis, with a little sigh of relief, rose to his feet and came over to my side. "It is finished," he declared. "Monsieur Decresson and Monsieur Grisson are of one mind in this matter. The man Tapilow's punishment was deserved." I looked from one to the other of them in wonder. "But I do not understand!" I exclaimed. "You mean to say, then, that even if Tapilow himself should wish it "
"Do not forget the number. 197," he added, turning to me, "is an absolutely light wine, for luncheon, delicious!" We were alone once more. Louis bent, smiling, over my table. "Monsieur is much interested," he said, "in the disappearance of an acquaintance, a passing travelling companion, but he does not ask of affairs which concern him more gravely." "Of Tapilow!" I exclaimed quickly.
You are young, and life is hot in your veins, and yet to-day, as you sit there, your liberty is forfeit, perhaps even, if Tapilow should die, your life! Have you ever heard any stories, I wonder," he added, leaning a little toward me, "about French prisons?" "Are you trying to frighten me, Louis?" I asked. "No!" he answered, "but I want you to realize that you are in a very serious position."
Then I flung him a little away from me, watching all the time, though, to see that his hand did not move towards that pocket. "Tapilow," I cried, "defend yourself, you coward! Do you want me to strangle you where you stand?" He came for me then with the frenzy of a man who is in a desperate strait. He was as strong as I, and he had the advantage in height. For a moment I was borne back.
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