Hunterleys welcomed the latter with an air of relief.
"Monsieur Picard," he exclaimed, "what on earth is the meaning of this?
Why do I find my room closed and this gendarme outside ?" Monsieur Picard was a tall man, black-bearded, immaculate in appearance and deportment, with manners and voice of velvet.

Yet he, too, had lost his wonderful imperturbability.

He waved away the floor waiter, who had drawn near.

His manner was almost agitated.
"Monsieur Sir Henry," he explained, "an affair the most regrettable has happened in your room.

I have allotted to you another apartment upon the same floor.