"Because she is clever with firearms. She used to be in a circus, but she left the profession a year ago."
"And does she live here constantly?"
"I cannot say. I think she goes away a great deal. She was travelling recently; she came back—let me see—last Tuesday night."
"Thank you," said Brett. The two re-entered their cab, and Brett told the driver to proceed as rapidly as possible to the Rue St. Honoré.
"I hope to goodness," he said to Fairholme, "that Captain Gaultier has not left Paris already; these Foreign Office messengers are liable to be despatched to the other end of the earth at a moment's notice."
"Why do you wish to see him?" said Fairholme.
"Simply to obtain definite confirmation of my theory. La Belle Chasseuse was the woman who accompanied the man made up to look like Jack Talbot during his journey from London. If Gaultier can see her and assure me that I am right I will be convinced concerning that which I already know to be true."
"By Jove!" cried Fairholme, "that never occurred to me. I wonder if it is so?"
"Mademoiselle Beaucaire is quite an adept in two things: she can break tiny glass bulbs and she can flirt. She chose to exhibit the first of these accomplishments to us, and convey what was intended to be a warning; in reality, she gave us some valuable information."
"I suppose," said Fairholme, "that this crowd will watch us pretty closely, won't they?"