I dropped from the skies, or the nearest thing to it, since I was on the Atlantic at this hour yesterday." McCulloch was aware that the Frenchman had been profoundly disturbed by Curtis's statements, and kept the ball rolling.

That name, de Courtois, seemed to supply the clew to the man's agitation, so he harped on it.
"Has Mr.Steingall seen de Courtois ?" he asked.
"Yes.

Mr.Devar and I accompanied him to de Courtois's room, and set the rascal free." "That settles it," said the roundsman emphatically.

"If the man with the camera eye has looked de Courtois over it is all up with the whole bunch.

Are you listening, Anatole?
This should be real lively hearing for you." "Monsieur de Courtois is a friend of mine," came the sullen response.
"Oh, is he?
Then you do know something about events in 27th Street, eh ?" "I tell you nothing, but why should I deny that I know Monsieur de Courtois ?" "Or that you are a Frenchman," put in Curtis quietly.