I could not fail to remember, too, that Zara el-Khala had last been
reported as crossing to England.
CHAPTER IV
THE FIGHT IN THE CAFE
New Scotland Yard had been advised that any reference to a scorpion,
in whatever form it occurred, should be noted and followed up, but
nothing had resulted and as a matter of fact I was not surprised in
the least. All that I had learned--and this was little enough--I had
learned more or less by accident. But I came to the conclusion that a
visit to London might be advisable.
I had caused a watch to be kept upon the man Miguel, whose
establishment seemed to be a recognized resort of shady characters.
I had no absolute proof, remember, that he knew anything of the
private affairs of the Hindu, and no further reference to a scorpion
had been made by anyone using the cafe telephone. Nevertheless I
determined to give him a courtesy call before leaving for London ...
and to this determination I cannot doubt that once again I was led
by providence.
Attired in a manner calculated to enable me to pass unnoticed among
the patrons of the establishment, I entered the place and ordered
cognac. Miguel having placed it before me, I lighted a cigarette and
surveyed my surroundings.
Eight or nine men were in the cafe, and two women. Four of the men
were playing cards at a corner table, and the others were distributed
about the place, drinking and smoking. The women, who were flashily
dressed but who belonged to that order of society which breeds the
Apache, were deep in conversation with a handsome Algerian.
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