Coude and Tarzan. At length they were rewarded. A morning paper
made brief mention of a smoker that was to be given on the following
evening by the German minister. De Coude's name was among those
of the invited guests. If he attended this meant that he would be
absent from his home until after midnight.

On the night of the banquet Paulvitch waited at the curb before the
residence of the German minister, where he could scan the face of
each guest that arrived. He had not long to wait before De Coude
descended from his car and passed him. That was enough. Paulvitch
hastened back to his quarters, where Rokoff awaited him. There they
waited until after eleven, then Paulvitch took down the receiver
of their telephone. He called a number.

"The apartments of Lieutenant D'Arnot?" he asked, when he had
obtained his connection.

"A message for Monsieur Tarzan, if he will be so kind as to step
to the telephone."

For a minute there was silence.

"Monsieur Tarzan?"

"Ah, yes, monsieur, this is Francois--in the service of the Countess
de Coude. Possibly monsieur does poor Francois the honor to recall
him--yes?

"Yes, monsieur. I have a message, an urgent message from the countess.
She asks that you hasten to her at once--she is in trouble, monsieur.