society. If I were to tell you his name you would probably know at once who he is."
Rosalie's red lips parted and her breath came faster.
"Some time ago," I continued, "I discovered Chu-Chu's identity. We have also quarrelled, and there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that he has put aside all other interests to try to find and murder me. It is on this account that I shaved my head, put on goggles and a soutane, and took to watching Léontine's house from the Bon Cocher. In his life of man-about-town Chu-Chu knew that I had been attentive to La Petrovski, and has probably been hanging about there with his taxicab either in the hope of my taking him for a course or perhaps merely to locate me. You see, as soon as I learned of my danger I gave it out that I had left the country, then disguised myself and set out to watch Chu-Chu."
Rosalie's pretty face was pale with excitement, and her eyes sparkled.
"You are really serious?" she cried, pleadingly.
"I wish that I were not."
"And are you yourself of the police?"
"No; I told you that when I slipped off my preacher's rig so that you would not make any difficulty about going on. I am a private citizen and in the motor business. All that I ask is to be left in peace, but Chu-Chu will not do that, for two reasons. In the first place, he hates me for having spoiled a good job of his; in the second, he considers my assassination necessary to his own safety."
