"A very determined young woman," mused the chief of police.
"Exceedingly," agreed the minister.
Courtlandt got up wearily. But the chief motioned him to be reseated.
"I do not say that I dare not pursue my investigations; but now that
mademoiselle is safely returned, I prefer not to."
"May I ask who made this request?" asked Courtlandt.
"Request? Yes, Monsieur, it was a request not to proceed further."
"From where?"
"As to that, you will have to consult the head of the state. I am not at
liberty to make the disclosure."
The minister leaned forward eagerly. "Then there is a political side to
it?"
"There would be if everything had not turned out so fortunately."
"I believe that I understand now," said Courtlandt, his face hardening.
Strange, he had not thought of it before. His skepticism had blinded him
to all but one angle. "Your advice to drop the matter is excellent."
The chief of police elevated his brows interrogatively.
"For I presume," continued Courtlandt, rising, "that Mademoiselle's
abductor is by this time safely across the frontier."