“And she has entered the city openly? Without any attempt at disguise?”
“Yes. Why should she disguise herself? There is nothing for which we can apprehend the woman. She knows that every footstep she takes while she is here will be watched. She has known that for a long time. I think she rather likes it; so why should she not come here openly?”
“What has brought her here, I wonder?” mused the detective.
“You have brought her here, my friend,” replied the chief.
“But, why should she follow me here? I know why she would like to have me out of the way—dead, if you will—but——”
“Listen here, Mr. Carter. On the other side of the water, in your own country, you are something of a celebrity. Murder is as common there as here, but it is done differently, as a rule. Believe me, you are a dangerous man to that woman, and, being dangerous, she desires to overcome that danger. Very well; there is no place on earth where she would rather see you just now, than here in Paris. In coming here you have played directly into her hands.”
“Well, admitting that it is so, what then?”
“What then? He asks me, what then? Death, then, my friend!”
“And you, the chief of the secret police of Paris, sit here, in your chair, in your own private office, and tell me that? And you still permit such a woman to run at large in the streets of your city!”
Nick smiled when he made that remark; smiled tauntingly.