The unknown leaned against the faded cushions, curled his mustache, and smiled as if well satisfied with events.

It is quite certain that his sense of ease and security would have been somewhat disturbed had he known that another cab was close on the track of his, and that its occupant, an officer of the city gendarmerie, alternately smiled and frowned as one does who floats between conviction and uncertainty.

At length the two vehicles turned into the Konigstrasse, the principal thoroughfare of the capital, and here the Englishman's cab came to a stand.

The jehu climbed down and opened the door.
"Did Herr say the Continental ?" he asked.
"No; the Grand." The driver shrugged, remounted his box, and drove on.

The Grand Hotel was clean enough and respectable, but that was all that could be said in its favor.