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The train was slowing down as it neared the town station in Calais, and Gaultier's voice could be momentarily heard above the diminishing rattle. "Well," he said, "I happen to know Hussein-ul-Mulk, and if we find out where he lives in Paris I will introduce you to him." Brett looked at the slumbering Frenchman out of the corner of his eye.
I have told you exactly the object of my visit, and I still await an answer." Hussein-ul-Mulk laughed a trifle uneasily. "On my part, monsieur, I might attempt to question the extent of your knowledge, but as you are mistaken in one part of your summing-up of evidence, you may be wrong in others." "To what do you allude?" The Mohammedan reflected for a moment, and then answered
"You will understand," he concluded, "that, in view of my preconceived theory, it was not a very far-fetched assumption to connect Hussein-ul-Mulk with the house in the Rue Barbette into which your spy vanished." "Well," gasped his astonished hearer, "I must say, Mr. Brett, that I owe you an apology.
He took the monster diamond irreverently in his hand before Hussein-ul-Mulk could prevent him and turned to the window. He pressed the stone against the glass and tried to make it cut. It failed. He placed it against his cheek. It was warm. A pure diamond would be icy cold.
They were Turks swarthy, evil-looking customers, but well-dressed, and evidently persons of consequence in their own country. The newcomers eyed the barrister curiously, and with no very friendly intent. A brief conversation in Turkish resulted in Hussein-ul-Mulk addressing Brett. "I must apologize for the fact that my friends here only speak their native tongue.
Nevertheless, Hussein-ul-Mulk could control his nerves. "Have you had déjeûner, or have you time to join me in a cigarette?" he went on. "We will be delighted," said Gaultier, taking the proffered case. "The fact is, I only heard of your presence in Paris by accident, and I mentioned the fact to my friend here, who has interested himself in the Armenian cause in London.
"Can it be possible that what you say is true?" said Hussein-ul-Mulk, in such piteous accents that Brett was moved to further mirth. "Surely you do not doubt the evidence?" he said. "Take any of these stones; they will crumble to pieces on the hearth if struck the slightest blow. See, I will pulverise one with my heel."
It is not you, but I, who will dictate the terms on which we part. It may perhaps interest you to explain this new phase of the situation to your fellow-countrymen, and the matter will also serve to dissipate the few minutes which yet have to elapse before 11.15." Hussein-ul-Mulk made no direct reply to this remarkable speech. That it impressed him was quite evident from his manner.
Talbot's name, but also supplied him with a wife, laboured under no such disadvantage. Indeed, Talbot himself would probably not have written his own name so legibly. "That is all right," said Brett wearily, traversing a corridor to gain his room. "Now, I wonder if there is any connexion between Hussein-ul-Mulk and the Rue Barbette." Brett was called at ten o'clock.
Forthwith an animated but subdued conversation took place between the triumvirate. While it was yet in progress a peculiar knock was heard on the outside door of the apartment. "Ah! he comes," said Hussein-ul-Mulk in French. He left the room in order to meet the new arrival.
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