Then he rose and looked at his watch.

The silence was a compact.
"When the lady dined with you in Paris, did she recognize you ?" he asked.
"Yes; but she did not know that I recognized her." For the moment they both overlooked Steinmetz.
De Chauxville stood reflecting.
"And your theory," he said, "respecting Sydney Bamborough--what is it ?" "If he got away to Nijni and the Volga, it is probable that he is in Eastern Siberia or in Persia at this moment.

He has not had time to get right across Asia yet." De Chauxville moved toward the door.

With his fingers on the handle he paused again.
"I leave early to-morrow morning," he said.
Vassili nodded, or rather he bowed, in his grand way.
Then De Chauxville went out of the room.

They did not shake hands.