The three of them talked together earnestly for several minutes in an undertone.

Then Louis, with a little sigh of relief, rose to his feet and came over to my side.
"It is finished," he declared.

"Monsieur Decresson and Monsieur Grisson are of one mind in this matter.

The man Tapilow's punishment was deserved." I looked from one to the other of them in wonder.
"But I do not understand!" I exclaimed.

"You mean to say, then, that even if Tapilow himself should wish it--" Monsieur Decresson smiled grimly.
"What happens in the Cafe des Deux Epingles," he said, "happens outside the world.