But to one in my profession, no fact is uninteresting; no
occurrence is too trivial to be noticed."
"Well, get on to your story, then," said the Prince, with some
impatience.
"Just after luncheon today, Your Highness walked on the beach," said
Tellier, "accompanied by the dog yonder."
Jax growled softly as he caught the Frenchman's eye, which pleased him
no more than it had Glueck.
"That is true," agreed the Prince. "What of it?"
"The dog attacked a small spaniel, which sought refuge with two ladies,
one of whom picked it up."
"All ancient history, I assure you, Monsieur Tellier. Yet, wait a
moment. Do you happen to know who the ladies were?"
"They are sisters," said Tellier. "Their name is Rushford; their father
is a tall American, who incessantly smokes a cigar and reads a
newspaper in the office of the hotel. If Your Highness wishes, I can
make further inquiries."
"Not at all!" cried the Prince, violently. "I won't countenance such
impertinence! Go on with the story."
Tellier bowed to indicate the most implicit obedience.
"It happened that I was near by," he said, "at the moment of the
encounter. I had taken my stand near a large beach-chair, which, for
reasons, interested me. I was nonchalant, impassive; alert, without
seeming to be so. Many of the women passing I had met upon the
boulevards under circumstances the most peculiar; concerning many of the
men I knew more than they would wish the world to know.
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