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He had brushed his hair and rearranged his tie, and was about to put on the pierrot's costu buttons of black velvet which he had worn at the bal blanc at Mentone about a week before, when the page handed hin hand, it read: "Instantly you receive this get into a travelling-suit and put what o to a dark-green car which will await you by the reservoir in the Boulevard du Midi Trust the driver You et over the frontier into Italy at the earliest erous to you Do not trouble to find out who sends you this warning! Bon voyage!"

Hugh Henfrey read it and re-read it The truth was plain The police of Monaco suspected him, and intended that he should be arrested on suspicion of having committed the crime

But as his unknown friend?

He stood at thereflecting If he did not keep his appoint his word to her On the other hand, if he motored to Nice he would no doubt be arrested on the French frontier a few ier suspected him, hence discretion was the better part of valour So, after brief consideration, he threw off his dress clothes and assumed a suit of dark tweed He put his etting into his overcoat he slipped out of the hotel by the back entrance used by the staff

Outside, he walked in the darkness along the Boulevard du Nord, past the Turbie station, until he ca blank wall behind which lay the reservoir

At the kerb he saw the diht of a car, and al Italian chauffeur approached him

"Quick, signore!" he whispered excitedly "Every er There is a warrant out for your arrest! The police know that you intended to go to Nice and they are watching for you on the Corniche road But ill try to get into Italy You are an invalid, res hich you can make up to look the part You are an American subject and a cripple, who cannot leave the car when the custonore, let's be off and trust to our good fortune in getting away I will tell the officers of the dogana at Venti backwards and forwards for ten years without knowing the ropes!"