Chapter Four.
The Man from Cologne.
Two hours later Arnaud Rigaux entered his small, well-furnished den in the big house on the broad Boulevard de Waterloo, close to the medieval Porte de Hal, that medieval castle-like structure, now the fine Musée d’Armes, known to every traveller in Brussds.
Scarcely had he crossed the threshold when his man, a white-haired, ultra respectable-looking valet, ushered in a rather stout, middle-aged man of military bearing, with fair hair and blue-grey eyes. He was wearing a cap and a motor dust-coat.
“Ah! my dear Guillaume! I must apologise,” Rigaux said. “I had no idea you had been waiting for me.”
“Your servant was unaware where you were. We telephoned to a dozen places. I arrived from Cologne just after nine o’clock.”
Rigaux glanced at the closed door rather apprehensively, and then in a low voice asked:
“What does it all mean?”
“War,” replied the other in a whisper. “The Emperor is in Cologne in secret. I had audience with him at three o’clock, and he sent me to you. I have to return at once. I was to tell you that his Majesty wishes for your final report.”
For a moment the financier’s narrow eyes grew serious, and his lips quivered.