"Mon ami, Barres," he said pleasantly, "you and I have much yet to say to each other."
"In the meanwhile, let us wash the stains of combat from our persons. What is the number of your collar?"
"I can fit you out. The bathroom is this way, old top!"
Refreshed by icy baths and clean linen, and now further fortified against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune by a supper of cold fowl and Moselle, Captain Renoux and Garret Barres sat in the apartment of the former gentleman, gaily exchanging Latin Quarter reminiscences through the floating haze of their cigars.
But the conversation soon switched back toward the far more serious business which alone accounted for their being there together after many years. For, as the French officer had remarked, a good deal remained to be said between them. And Barres knew what he meant, and was deeply concerned at the prospect.
But Renoux approached the matter with careless good humour and by a leisurely, circuitous route, which polite pussy-footing was obviously to prepare Barres for impending trouble.
He began by referring to his mission in America, admitting very frankly that he was a modest link in the system of military and political intelligence maintained by all European countries in the domains of their neighbours.
"I might as well say so," he remarked, "because it's known to the representatives of enemy governments here as well as to your own Government, that some of us are here; and anybody can imagine why.
"And, in the course of my--studies," he said deliberately, while his clear eyes twinkled, "it has come to my knowledge, and to the knowledge of the French Ambassador, that there is, in New York, a young woman who already has proven herself a dangerous enemy to my country."
"That is interesting, if true," said Barres, reddening to the temples. "But it is even more interesting if it is not true.... And it isn't!"
"I don't think anything about it, Renoux; I _know_."
"I am afraid you have been misled, Barres. And it is natural enough."
"Because," said Renoux serenely, "she is very beautiful, very clever, very young, very appealing.... Tell me, my friend, where did you meet her?"
"Where did you learn that I had ever met her?"
"Through the ordinary channels which, if you will pardon me, I am not at liberty to discuss."