Chapter 22

           Nicoleawokelate,murmuringsomethingbackintoherdreambeforeshepartedherlonglashestangledwithsleep.Dick’sbedwasempty—onlyafteraminutedidsherealizethatshehadbeenawakenedbyaknockattheirsalondoor.

           "Entrez!"shecalled,buttherewasnoanswer,andafteramomentsheslippedonadressing-gownandwenttoopenit.Asergent-de-villeconfrontedhercourteouslyandsteppedinsidethedoor.

           "Mr.AfghanNorth—heishere?"

           "What?No—he’sgonetoAmerica."

           "Whendidheleave,Madame?"

           "Yesterdaymorning."

           Heshookhisheadandwavedhisforefingeratherinaquickerrhythm.

           "HewasinParislastnight.Heisregisteredherebuthisroomisnotoccupied.TheytoldmeIhadbetteraskatthisroom."

           "Soundsverypeculiartome—wesawhimoffyesterdaymorningontheboattrain."

           "Bethatasitmay,hehasbeenseenherethismorning.Evenhiscarted’identitéhasbeenseen.Andthereyouare."

           "Weknownothingaboutit,"sheproclaimedinamazement.

           Heconsidered.Hewasanill-smelling,handsomeman.

           "Youwerenotwithhimatalllastnight?"

           "Butno."

           "WehavearrestedaNegro.WeareconvincedwehaveatlastarrestedthecorrectNegro."

           "IassureyouthatIhaven’tanideawhatyou’retalkingabout.Ifit’stheMr.AbrahamNorth,theoneweknow,well,ifhewasinParislastnightweweren’tawareofit."

           Themannodded,suckedhisupperlip,convincedbutdisappointed.

           "Whathappened?"Nicoledemanded.

           Heshowedhispalms,puffingouthisclosedmouth.