The Rome Express

full attention to all the points, old and new, that had now arisen in the investigation. But he would

tion and answer, verbatim. A little to one side, with the light full on the face, the witness was seated, bearing the sc

equal to answering a few questi

I have no choice," replied th

er principally

a troubled voice, yet she bore the gaze

little more about

." She spoke now with perfect self-possessi

ly. You asked for her,

es

ound. She is not

chair in her surprise-surprise that

he would not dare to leave m

ared. Most certainl

an have bec

form any idea? We hoped you migh

nsieur, not i

warn your friends that you were detained? To

y contrived, but s

ew of no trouble w

d? and whe

ady told that gentleman." She pointed to

atter, still it is odd, and for your sake we should li

tle trap wh

e is worth keeping after

ct account for it, must justify it, give

y," the Countess said, quickly,

iption. Will you tell us what was her height, f

e height, at least; slight, go

ett

an by 'pretty.' Some people mi

s she d

ack straw and brown ribbons. I do

er name, age, p

thirty-two, born,

etective, but said nothing. It was quite unnecessary, for M. Flo?on, who had been writin

to the agents of police round about here. I have an idea-only an idea-that this woman has not gone far. It may be worth nothing, still there is the c

dge had continued

ame, did you ob

rd of her at an agency and registry office, wh

ot been long in

u, she came to me

recomm

ved with good familie

, what was he

proac

f, I dare say. When we want her we shall be able to lay

n the matter. I certain

erred to the rough plan of the sleeping-car prepared by M. Flo?on,-"

s the number

next door to your compartment-do you kn

she was a prey to sudden emotio

where-

er as he would a little child. "You need not say. It

ad slowly, but

No-no-not afterwards, of course. It would not be likely. B

-distin

see

ieve, at Modane with t

only occasion on which you saw him? You had neve

mean? The m

o e

of. At least I did not re

he was among

ertainly was not," in

nces-he would probably have

ppose

o? He never spoke to

ment, except on that one occasion. I kept a go

n very dull for you," sa

untess, hesitatingly, and with a slig

ion was long-drawn a

well tell us, madame, we

," she replied, now turning pale, possibly

se frien

. They came and sat with me occasionall

ng th

er eyes flashed, as though the

known th

ociety last winter. It was he

took an interest in you. That explains his

e or unjustifiable," interrupted the

. But we will pass on. You are not

I sleep badl

ight, did you hear anything strange in the car,

thi

sed high, no noise of a

monsi

,-the corpse,-that there was a fight, an encounter. Yet you, a wretched sleeper, with only a thin p

. I must have

plain-how can you reconcile that?" The question was blandly

o, on a journey. I am obliged to keep someth

ndisguised triumph, produced the small glass vial which M. Flo

quick gesture, put ou

. Look as near as you li

e. Where did you get

e, not in

whe

hall not tell yo

t," went on the Counte

taken your do

bef

ou want this?

ache. I-I-really, sir, I need

aid had re

ave taken it out of the b

hen ke

at I can on

A