Fairholme suddenly clenched his right fist and examined his knuckles, his unconscious action causing the others to laugh.
"Is he a Frenchman, then?" said Talbot.
"Unquestionably—a most modern product."
"And his name is Dubois?"
"Yes."
"All right. In future I will allude to him by his proper title. Well, Monsieur Dubois strolled towards me with the easy confidence of a man who was sure of himself.
"'This affair bores me,' he said. 'I see no reason why I, who am in no way concerned with the Sultan's collection of precious stones, should sit up all night keeping guard over them with these very earnest gentlemen here. I am going to my hotel. I have sent my portmanteau to the Carlton. Will you honour me by driving there and telling me something about your wonderful London as we go?'
"The man looked at me with a meaning in his eyes that conveyed quite plainly the intimation—
"'We can talk quietly in the cab, and I can explain much that is at present hidden.' Unfortunately I fell in with his suggestions.
"We crossed the dining-room together. We were searched by the police in the hall, much to his apparent surprise, and then we drove off through St. George's Place.