"Oh, nothing special. I came in to dine here, and told the doorman to send you to me in case you should turn up. I wanted company, that is all."
"Don't like to eat alone, eh?"
"That is it. Eating is a nuisance, made tolerable only by good companionship. Mr. Thauret, shall I have a place set for you, also?"
"If you desire, I shall be most happy," said Mr. Thauret.
"Very well," said Mr. Randolph. "I will attend to it. I have some letters to write now, if you will excuse me. Meet me promptly at seven in the private dining-room."
Mr. Randolph left the apartment, and went to the floor above. Here he joined Mr. Barnes, who was awaiting him.
"Well," said the detective, "can you manage it?"
"Everything is arranged. Mitchel is here, and he has brought Thauret with him. I don't understand the intimacy that has sprung up between those two, but that is not to the point. They will dine with me in our private dining-room. I shall arrange that our meal shall be served at a table immediately next to the large portière that separates the private dining-room from the main saloon. I shall also order a dinner for you at a table just on the other side of the curtain. If you have good ears, you should hear all that passes with little difficulty."
"I am satisfied with your arrangement and shall undoubtedly be able to hear at least the greater part of what occurs."