"C'est moi."
He took the note and found it to contain the following words, scribbled boldly by Markby—
"They are now coming along in your direction. You will easily recognise them—two youths in sailor dress. Follow them, and if they stay at any of the cafés, I leave you to scrape up an acquaintance with them.—M."
"Markby has been upon the qui vive," said Lenoir to himself. "Smart fellow, Markby!"
Glancing to the left, he saw the two young sailors approaching: so Pierre Lenoir made up his mind at once.
He stepped into the house, intending to let them pass and then follow them, and, if by chance they should, on their way, stop at either of the cafés, he could drop in and seek the opportunity he so much desired.
But while he was waiting the young sailors came up, and, instead of passing the café they dropped into chairs at the door and called for refreshments.
This was more than Lenoir had bargained for.
However, it was no use wasting time.
He desired to profit by the opportunity, and so out he came and sat at the next table to the two young Englishmen.