"The 'Rat Mort' never amused me," I said, "a café of the Montmartre where those who dined were——"

I did not finish my sentence.

"Were very pretty and interesting women, Heltzendorff," he declared. "Ah! don't you recollect when you and I dined there not long ago, all of us at a long table—so many charming ladies—oh!"

"I have forgotten it, Prince," I said, rebuking him. "It has passed from my memory. That place is just as unfitted for you as is Lung Ching's."

"Lung Ching's! Ah—yes, the old yellow fellow is a good sort," he exclaimed, as though recollecting.

"And the lady you took there—eh?"

"The lady?" he echoed. "Why, Gott! I left her there. I did not remember. Gott! I left little Miss Violet in that place!" he gasped.

"Well?" I asked.

"Well, what can I do. I must go and see."

I smiled, and then told him what I had done.