She chuckled and shook her head. "Normal people would say it is funny how a chance encounter like that can change your life. But I've been around long enough to know that nothing happens by accident."

I nodded and sipped my coffee, fascinated by her.

"As much as I would like to stay here and speak with you, it will have to wait until later. I must go," she said getting up. "If you will excuse me." She left in a confident walk, not looking back.

I finished my coffee and walked a meandering route back to the St. Germain so that I arrived shortly before 8:30.

"Has Poppy come back?" I asked Mr. Diltz as soon as we were both inside.

"No, but she did call and she is on her way back."

"Back, from where?"

"Luzern. She said she would be back in time to eat, speaking of which, I thought I would dine with you tonight if you haven't any objections."

"No, I would like that," I said automatically, my thoughts preoccupied with her.

"Good," he said smiling slightly. "I'll send for you when it's ready.

Poppy was still nowhere to be found when I met Diltz in front of the dining room doors.

"The arrangement is a bit different this evening," Diltz began. "We are going to dine in a side room at the same time as the others dine in here so that everything can begin immediately afterward. But we will need to fill our plates here first," he said, sliding the double doors open to expose a colorful cornucopia of steaming platters covering the long table. "Be sure to take enough now," he said handing me a large plate. "They won't leave much after they get started in here."

I loaded my plate and followed him down the hall into the side room. A normal-sized wooden table sat in the middle of the plain white-walled room. Wine glasses, salads, and refined place settings sat waiting for us. Mr. Diltz had just poured the wine when the bell rang. I watched from the side doorway as he unlocked and opened the door.

Poppy came through along with a short, young, Spanish looking man. She saw me and walked toward me with her arms outstretched. "I'm sorry. Diltz here said you were worried about me."

"Worried about you? Don't flatter yourself. I'm worried about me. This thing is starting in a little over an hour. And I have no idea what in the hell I'm supposed to do," I said forcefully.

"There's no need to get upset about it."

"Upset?" I said shaking my head. "Upset was last night, maybe even this morning. I'm beyond upset now." The calm cool tone I used had little effect on her. "Where were you anyway?"