VII
The youth saw his visitor part way to the door and then went to the apparatus you called a “lift” when you were talking to an Englishman, an “elevator” to an American. At the same moment a man who had been sitting just across the lobby, supposedly reading a newspaper but in reality watching over the top of it, arose from his seat and followed. Another man, who had been standing in the street looking through the window, came in at the door. Lanny entered the elevator and the first man followed him and said to the operator: “Attendez.” The second man arrived and entered and they went up.
When they reached Lanny’s floor he stepped out, and so did the other two. As soon as the operator had closed the door, one man stepped to Lanny's right and the other to his left and said in French: “Pardon, Monsieur. We are agents of the Sûreté.”
Lanny's heart gave a mighty thump; he stopped, and so almost did the heart. “Well?” he said.
“It will be necessary for you to accompany us to the Préfecture.” The man drew back the lapel of his coat and showed his shield.
“What is the matter?” demanded the youth.
“I am sorry, Monsieur, it is not permitted to discuss the subject. You will be told by the commissaire.”
So, they were after him! And maybe they had him! Wild ideas of resistance or flight surged into his mind; it was the first time he had ever been arrested and he had no habit pattern. But they were determined-looking men, and doubtless were armed. He decided to preserve his position as a member of the privileged classes. “You are making a very silly mistake,” he said, “and it will get you into trouble.”
“If so, Monsieur will pardon us, I trust,” said the elder of the two. “Monsieur resides in this hotel?”
“I do.”