Maybe, when once I had the treaty in my hands, I might send a messenger with a few cautious words to Maxine.

No matter how late the hour, she was certain not to be asleep.
The cab I had seen crawling through the street had disappeared long ago, and no other was in sight, so I walked quickly on, hoping to find one presently.

It was now so late, however, that in this quiet part of Paris no carriages of any sort were plying for hire.

Finally I made up my mind that I should have to go all the way on foot; but I knew the direction of the Avenue Morot, though I'd never heard of Rue de la Fille Sauvage, and as it was not more than two miles to walk, I could reach the house I wanted to find in half an hour.
A few minutes more or less ought not to matter much, since "J.

M." was sure to be awaiting me with impatience; therefore the thing which bothered me most was the effect likely to be produced on the man when I could not hand him over the diamonds in exchange for the treaty.
Of course I didn't believe that "J.M." was a jeweller's messenger, though possibly I might have been less incredulous if Maxine had not told me the true history of the diamonds, and what had happened in Holland.