“By it we are forearmed, safeguarded. We at once know the tendencies of strangers, and so it saves us many disasters in our affairs; for those whom this philosophy warns us against we do not trust.”
“I suppose not,” answered Ethan, vaguely.
“It is a matter of great ease,” went on the man, crossing his silk stockinged legs and smoothing his ruffles with one many-ringed hand, “to discover the tendencies of our friends there at the door, for they carry their vocations plainly writ upon their faces. Note the leaner of the two Frenchmen--the pointed and protruding jaw, the outstanding ears, the eyes set close together, the low brow, the nose slightly hooked. It is a countenance whose message is unmistakable. To one who knows it cries out ceaselessly--beware, beware!”
Ethan nodded; science or no science he knew that the stranger spoke the truth.
“The other face,” continued Fochard, “is of a decidedly lower type. Note the huge jaw, the small round head set upon the great torso, with scarcely the sign of a neck. This is a common sort of ruffian--one who will make much noise about his wrong-doing and be easily caught.”
Ethan looked at the secret agent curiously; somehow he had the impression that the man’s talk was for the purpose of gaining time; also that he desired the three at the table near the door to see them, apparently, earnestly engaged together. Drawing a large silver snuff-box from his waistcoat pocket Fochard took a dainty pinch and then offered it to Ethan and Longsword in turn. Upon their refusing he smiled and delicately applied the snuff to his nostrils; then he dusted the fallen grains from his clothing and put the box away.
“I think,” said Ethan, “that you must have encountered these men before to know their characteristics so well. A single glance at the face does not tell so much.”
The Frenchman gestured his admiration of this remark, and his jeweled hands sparkled in the candle-light.
“You Americans are keen and most practical,” he said. “And for that reason,” he went on, bending toward Ethan, “I am going to do something for you to-night which will surprise you much--and out of sheer admiration of your nation.”
“I have here a ring,” and Fochard drew from his finger a sparkling circlet and held it up so that the light would fall upon it. “I am going to give it to you.”