"Aha!" said Frobisher, quite in the style of Hanaud. "But I see that this film is coming to its wedding bells. So I shall wish you a good evening."
Frobisher bowed and left Maurice Thevenet to dream of success in Paris. He strolled between the groups of spectators to the entrance and thence into the street. He walked to the arch of the Porte Guillaume and turned into the Rue de la Liberté. The provincial towns go to bed early and the street so busy throughout the day was like the street of a deserted city. A couple of hundred yards on, he was startled to find Hanaud, sprung from nowhere, walking at his side.
"So my young friend, the secretary engaged you when I had gone?" he said.
"Maurice Thevenet," said Jim, "may be as the Commissary says a young man of a surprising intelligence, but to tell you the truth, I find him a very intrusive fellow. First of all he wanted to know if you had discovered anything in Ann Upcott's sitting-room, and then what Miss Harlowe's anonymous letter was about."
Hanaud looked at Jim with interest.
"Yes, he is anxious to learn, that young man, Girardot is right. He will go far. And how did you answer him?"
"I said 'Oho'! first, and then I said 'Aha'! just like a troublesome friend of mine when I ask him a simple question which he does not mean to answer."
Hanaud laughed heartily.
"And you did very well," he said. "Come, let us turn into this little street upon the right. It will take us to our destination."
"Wait!" whispered Jim eagerly. "Don't cross the road for a moment. Listen!"