‘Mademoiselle Fântóme! It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to my house,’ the Rajah said softly.

‘I have been brought here by mistake,’ Mistral replied quickly. ‘My aunt ordered a carriage to take us to the Hôtel de Paris. I got into it first, but the coachman drove off without waiting for my aunt and without apparently waiting for proper instructions. I would be grateful if Your Highness would have me sent at once to the Hôtel de Paris.’

‘Do you really imagine it was chance that brought you here?’ the Rajah asked.

‘Then it was not a mistake?’ Mistral asked.

‘I seldom make mistakes,’ the Rajah replied.

‘But this is intolerable! Your Highness will kindly order me a carriage or if not, I will walk.’

Mistral turned impulsively towards the door. As the Rajah did not move she turned the handle of the door herself, but it did not open. She knew then that the door was locked. The Rajah laughed. It was a horrible, mocking sound which frightened Mistral more than anything else she had heard in the whole of her life.

Her face was very white, but she held her head high as she turned to face him.

‘What does this mean?’ she asked. ‘How dare you keep me here?’

‘Why not, when I so greatly desire your presence?’

‘Do you imagine my absence will not be noticed?’ Mistral asked scornfully. ‘Do you imagine my aunt will not be worried? This very moment she will have sent for the Police.’

‘You are mistaken! Your aunt will not send for the Police, my dear.’

‘She will, I am sure of it,’ Mistral retorted. ‘I must beg of Your Highness to let me go immediately. This indiscretion will do you no good and nothing will be gained by it.’

The Rajah laughed again.

‘You are very lovely when you are cross,’ he said. ‘I have always liked pretty women when they are defiant. But let us face facts. Nothing you say will deceive me – for the game is up. It was a clever one, but then your aunt is a very clever woman. Yes, the game is up and I am the winner.’

‘I have no idea what you are talking about,’ Mistral replied. ‘All I know is that you have brought me here against my will and I command you to open this door.’

‘Very prettily said,’ the Rajah remarked. ‘You are an excellent actress. Your aunt, as you call her, must have spent a great deal of time in teaching you to be so proficient, but now let us dispense with all this nonsense and get to know each other – you and I.’

He drew nearer to Mistral as he spoke and put out his hand as if to touch her. Mistral gave a little cry and moved away from him.

‘Don’t you dare to touch me.’