Julien looked across the table long and earnestly.
"Herr Freudenberg," he said, "if I answer you in the negative, it is because of your own words. The love of your country, you told me not long ago, is your religion. For her good you would make use even of those you call your friends. Now I am sincere with you. I do not know whether to trust you or not. For that reason I cannot attempt to discuss this matter with you. I do not ask even that you explain yourself."
"You mean that at any rate you cannot trust me entirely?" Herr Freudenberg replied. "Well, if you had, I should have been disappointed in you. Still, I have said things that were in my heart to say to you. We send now for Mademoiselle Ixe. Before very long we talk together again."
Herr Freudenberg touched the bell. A waiter appeared almost immediately.
"Find mademoiselle," he ordered. "Tell her that we wait impatiently."
Mademoiselle was not far away. Herr Freudenberg passed his arm through hers.
"We return, I think," he said. "This little room has served its purpose."
Julien on the landing tried to make his adieux, but his host only laughed at him. Mademoiselle Ixe held out her hand and led him into the room by her side.
"He wishes it," she murmured softly. "He has so few nights here, one must do as he desires."
The little party returned to their table in the corner. Somehow or other, their coming seemed to enliven the room. There was more spirit in the music, more animation in the conversation. Albert walked with a sprightlier step. Then Julien, in his passage down the room, received a distinct shock. He stopped short.
Kendricks, sitting alone at a small table, with a bottle of champagne in front of him and a huge cigar in his mouth, waved his hand joyfully. Then he glanced at his friend's companions, frowned for a moment, and gazed fixedly at Herr Freudenberg.
"Julien, by all that's lucky!" he called out. "And I haven't been in Paris four hours! I called at your hotel and they told me you were out. Sit down."
"I am not alone," Julien began to explain,--
"You must present your friend," he declared. "He must join us."
"Kendricks," he said, "this is my friend, Herr Freudenberg."
The two men shook hands. Kendricks as yet had scarcely taken his eyes off Herr Freudenberg's face.
