But what of that?
He loaded his pipe again, puffing out clouds of smoke until the room was thick with it.
That trail would take him to Meleese--wherever she was.

Heretofore his enemies had come to him; now he would go to them.

With Croisset in his power, and with none of his enemies aware of his presence, everything would be in his favor.

He laughed aloud as a sudden thrilling thought flashed into his mind.

As a last resort he would use Jean as a decoy.
He foresaw how easy it would be to bring Meleese to him--to see Croisset.