'This is a raving maniac. I had business just now with Sir Charles Vandrift, who quitted the room as these gentlemen entered. This person is mad, and you, monsieur, I doubt not,' bowing to me, 'you are, of course, his keeper.'
'Do not let him deceive you,' I cried to the police, beginning to fear that with his usual incredible cleverness the fellow would even now manage to slip through our fingers. 'Arrest him, as you are told. We will take the responsibility.' Though I trembled when I thought of that cheque he held of mine.
The chief of our three policemen came forward and laid his hand on the culprit's shoulder. 'I advise you, M. le Colonel,' he said, in an official voice, 'to come with us quietly for the present. Before the juge d'instruction we can enter at length into all these questions.'
The Colonel, very indignant still—and acting the part marvellously—yielded and went along with them.
'Where's Medhurst?' Charles inquired, glancing round as we reached the door. 'I wish he had stopped with us.'
'You are looking for monsieur your friend?' the landlord inquired, with a side bow to the Colonel. 'He has gone away in a fiacre. He asked me to give this note to you.'
He handed us a twisted note. Charles opened and read it. 'Invaluable man!' he cried. 'Just hear what he says, Sey: "Having secured Colonel
