Pennington's sudden fear held me in blank surprise.
Ere I could reply to him he had slipped through the door which led into my bedroom, closing it after him, just as Delanne's stout figure and broad, good-humoured face appeared in the doorway.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, "Meester Biddulph!" and he bowed politely over my hand.
Then, turning to Sylvia, who stood pale and rigid, he put forth his hand, and also bowed low over hers, saying in English: "My respects--and heartiest congratulations to madame."
His quick eyes wandered around the room, then he added--
"Meester Pennington is here; where is he? I am here to speak with him."
"Pennington was here," I replied, "but he has gone."
"Then he only went out this moment! I must see him. He is in the hotel!" my visitor exclaimed quickly.
"I suppose he is," I replied rather faintly; "we had better ask the waiter. He is not stopping here. He merely came to-night to dine with us."
"Of course," said Delanne. "He arrived by the 2.37 train from Bruxelles, went to the Hôtel Dominici, near the Place Vendôme, sent you a _petit-bleu_, and arrived here at 6.30. I am here because I wish to see him most particularly. I was in Orleans when the news of my friend's arrival in Paris was telephoned to me--I have only just arrived."
I opened the door leading to my bedroom, and called my father-in-law, but there was no response. In an instant Delanne dashed past me, and in a few seconds had searched the suite.
"Ah, of course!" he cried, noticing that the door of my wife's room led back to the main corridor; "my friend has avoided me. He has passed out by this way. Still, he must be in the hotel."
He hurried back to the salon, and, opening the shutters, took off his hat.
Was it some signal to the watchers outside? Ere I could reach his side, however, he had replaced his hat, and was re-entering the room.
"Phew! this place is stifling hot, my dear friend," he said. "I wonder you do not have the windows open for a little!"
Sylvia had stood by in silence. I saw by her face that the Frenchman's sudden appearance had caused her the greatest alarm and dismay. If Delanne was her father's friend, why did the latter flee in such fear? Why had he implored me to save him? From what?