“No, not too far, is it, Harry?”

Harry was looking most displeased that the young man was betraying a club confidence in this way. He simply shrugged. “Not for me to say, sir,” he said.

The young man grinned. “Go back along the quay until you get to the bridge. I believe it’s called the Pont de l’Alma. It’s the first proper bridge you’ll come to. Then take the Avenue Montaigne away from the river until you come to Rue François Premier. Not far at all.”

“Thank you, you’ve been most kind,” I said.

“Not at all.” He tipped his homburg to me. “Always delighted to assist a damsel in distress. Are you alone in the city or is your husband with you?”

“No, unfortunately. His business keeps him in New York,” I said.

“If you need a gentleman to escort you, I’d be happy to show you some of the best night spots.” He held out a hand. “Frank Lahm at your service.”

“Mrs. Molly Sullivan,” I said. “I’m delighted to make your acquaintance, but I don’t think I’ll be wanting to visit any night spots in the near future. I’m staying with friends.”

“Ah, I see.” His face fell. “Well, you can always find me here if you need anything.” He touched his hat again and set off. I gave the porter a barely civil nod and turned on my heel. By now my heart was really thumping and it wasn’t just from tiredness after walking so far at such a great clip. The nagging worry that I had tried to keep at bay had risen to the surface again. Something was wrong at Reynold Bryce’s house. Police were standing outside. Had Reynold Bryce committed a crime or had something bad happened to him?

Chapter 15

Fifteen

The late afternoon sun was now blazing down on my back, and I was glad when I could move into the dappled shade of trees. Paris was a wonderful city for trees, I thought. Hardly any streets in New York were treelined, but this city appeared to be all parks and boulevards. No wonder Sid and Gus were so—I broke off this thought as a sob hiccupped into my throat. Something had gone wrong at Reynold Bryce’s house. And only a few days ago he had sent Gus a postcard with the words “Absolutely not” scrawled across it. That showed they had been in recent communication and that he didn’t need to explain what those words meant. Had he been threatened in some way? Had she begged him to go to the police, or escape from the city? And he had emphatically refused. In which case were she and Sid also in danger from this threat?