Harcutt looked after them, watching them disappear with a frown upon his forehead.
"Rather a sell, isn't it?" said a quiet voice in his ear.
He turned abruptly round. Densham was standing upon the pavement by his side.
"Great Scott!" he exclaimed testily. "What are you doing here?"
Densham threw away his cigarette and laughed.
"I might return the question, I suppose," he remarked. "We both followed the young lady and her imaginary papa! We were both anxious to find out where they lived--and we are both sold!"
"Very badly sold," Harcutt admitted. "What do you propose to do now? We can't wait outside here for an hour or two!"
"No, we can't do that," he said. "Have you any plan?"
They were both silent for a moment. Densham was smiling softly to himself. Watching him, Harcutt became quite assured that he had decided what to do.
"Let us consider the matter together," he suggested, diplomatically. "We ought to be able to hit upon something."
"No," he said; "I don't think that we can run this thing in double harness. You see our interests are materially opposed."
Harcutt did not see it in the same light.
"Pooh! We can travel together by the same road," he protested. "The time to part company has not come yet. Wolfenden has got a bit ahead of us to-night. After all, though, you and I may pull level, if we help one another. You have a plan, I can see! What is it?"
"You know whose house this is?" he asked.
"Of course! It's the Russian Ambassador's!"
Densham drew a square card from his pocket, and held it out under the gas-light. From it, it appeared that the Princess Lobenski desired the honour of his company at any time that evening between twelve and two.
"A card for to-night, by Jove!" Harcutt exclaimed.
Densham nodded, and replaced it in his pocket.
"You see, Harcutt," he said, "I am bound to take an advantage over you! I only got this card by an accident, and I certainly do not know the Princess well enough to present you. I shall be compelled to leave you here! All that I can promise is, that if I discover anything interesting I will let you know about it to-morrow. Good-night!"
Harcutt watched him disappear through the open doors, and then walked a little way along the pavement, swearing softly to himself. His first idea was to wait about until they came out, and then follow them again. By that means he would at least be sure of their address. He would have gained something for his time and trouble. He lit a cigarette, and walked slowly to the corner of the street. Then he turned back and retraced his steps. As he neared the crimson strip of drugget, one of the servants drew respectfully aside, as though expecting him to enter. The man's action was like an inspiration to him. He glanced down the vista of covered roof. A crowd of people were making their way up the broad staircase, and amongst them Densham. After all, why not? He laughed softly to himself and hesitated no longer. He threw away his cigarette and walked boldly in. He was doing a thing for which he well knew that he deserved to be kicked. At the same time, he had made up his mind to go through with it, and he was not the man to fail through nervousness or want of _savoir faire_.