He tried to break away, but he was held from behind as in a
vise. Then his head fell back, and he remembered no more.
CHAPTER X
THE CHECKMATING OF MONSIEUR LOUIS
At three o'clock in the morning Groves, in a discarded dressing-gown of
his master's, opened the front door and peered cautiously out into the
darkness. Monsieur Louis, who was standing upon the door-step, pushed
past him into the hall.
"Your master has sent me back to fetch some papers," he announced,
displaying a bunch of keys. "I am sorry to disturb you like this, but
the matter is important. Please bring me a cup of coffee into the
library in half an hour."
Groves, who was sorely perplexed, stood with his back to the door which
Monsieur Louis had approached.
"Really, sir," he answered, "I scarcely know what to say. I am afraid
that I cannot allow you to interfere with any of my master's property in
his absence."
Monsieur Louis held out the keys.
"Quite right!" he said. "It is an awkward situation, of course. Your
master did not tell you the reason of his sudden departure, I suppose?"
"Not a word, sir."
"There can be no harm in telling you this much, at any rate," Monsieur
Louis continued smoothly.
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