CHAPTER II
PETITE JEANNE’S MASQUERADE
Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House. Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
At that instant he appeared ready for flight. One glance at the other, and he indulged in a low chuckle.
“It is you!” he exclaimed.
“It is I. But what could have kept you?” The person who spoke was a girl. A large, strongly built person, she contrasted strangely with her slender companion.
“Circumstances over which I had no control,” the youth replied. “But come on!” He shuddered. “I am freezing!”
Having hurried west across the bridge, they entered a long concourse. From this they emerged into a railway station. Having crossed the waiting room, the slim one entered an elevator, leaving the other to wait below.
When the slim one reappeared he was wrapped from head to toe in a great blue coat.
“Ah, this is better, ma chere,” he murmured, as he tucked a slender arm into his companion’s own and prepared to accompany her into the chill of night.
The apartment they entered half an hour later was neither large nor new. It was well furnished and gave forth an air of solid comfort. The living quarters consisted of a narrow kitchen and a fair-sized living-room. At either side of the living-room were doors that led each to a private room.