"I met them in Paris; I know nothing about their social standing. I have found them very pleasant people and I do not understand the hints of that man, nor why he should address me. He appeared to know my name, and was otherwise well posted, as it appears, concerning my acquaintance with those people. Who can the man be?"
"He is probably a detective."
"A detective?"
"Yes."
Young Wagner became thoughtful for quite an interval, and then in a musing tone said:
"I do not understand it."
"Let me see," said Jack; "it strikes me that this Richards family is the same family from whose home a young lady disappeared a week or so ago. Possibly this detective has his suspicions concerning that young lady's disappearance. I've heard about it. I remember now that some young baron's name was associated with her disappearance."
Wagner's face became very pale. He fixed his fine eyes on the detective, and after a moment said:
"From whom did you hear this?"
"The girl's mother; she is an acquaintance—yes, she told me all about it. She is very much distressed; and now, come to think, are you the young German baron alluded to in the case?"