When he came back from the search, he had an envelope in his hand addressed "Lars Larssen, Esq."
"All I could find was this envelope for you, sir. There seems to be no record of Mr Rivière's address."
The shipowner slit open the letter and read it with a countenance that gave no clue whatever to what was passing in his mind.
"My dear Larssen," it ran, "I estimate your expenses on the Hudson Bay scheme at roughly £20,000, and I enclose cheque for that amount. If this is right, please let me have a formal receipt and quittance. I want you to understand that my decision on the matter is final. I regret that I am obliged to back out at the last moment, but no doubt you will be able to proceed without my help."
The letter was in handwriting, and had not been press-copied. Larssen noted that point at once with satisfaction. But the letter itself gave him uneasiness. It explained nothing of Matheson's motives. From the 'phone conversation with Olive, it was clear that she had no suspicion that her husband wanted to withdraw from the Hudson Bay deal. In fact, she had asked anxiously if anything had gone wrong with the scheme. Sir Francis Letchmere might of course be closer in Matheson's business confidence, and that was one of the reasons for travelling to Monte Carlo and talking to him face to face.
But with his keen intuitive sense, Lars Larssen felt that the explanation was in some way connected with this mysterious John Rivière. It was imperative to get in touch with the man.
Where was Rivière? Was there nobody who could throw light on his whereabouts? His jaw tightened as he began to chew on the problem. Paris is too big a city in which to hunt for a mere name.
After thanking the manager, Larssen withdrew from the room. Passing through the outer office, he was addressed by the other of the two clerks, a young Frenchman.
"Monsieur," said he in French, "here is a point which perhaps will be of service. I am at the window when Monsieur Rivière arrives en taxi-auto. On the impériale I see a portmanteau. Doubtless Monsieur Rivière journeys away from Paris."
"Did you note the number of the cab?"