The Rome Express
to the production of the small glass bottle, he paused, and with a
ry nodded their heads approving
heads together in clos
he detective. "You have been mo
that to take anybody and everybody into custody is always the safest and simples
ps?" The Judge was musing over the facts as he knew them. "I should like, befor
" he said, adding, "Madame will remain here, pl
nervousness had if anything increased duri
reply, with a shrug of the shoulders,
Judge, as soon as they had gained the
ugged," answered the detective; and the discussion which followed took th
Countess? How do we k
bottle," sa
-that she missed it, t
er against the maid. We
t tells more against her mistress. It is all
ading? Surely, M. le Juge, they are a wo
r as w
could be prove
u could pr
once, in the station. There is a female
ng measure. S
s must not expect to be
itate, upon my word. Suppose we are wrong? It may lead to unpleasantness
gnifier from his pocket, examined the lace,
say you, M. Flo?on? You may be m
iennes-the trimming of some underclothing, I shou
and the Chief went back himself to see that the
iendless,-for the General was not within reach,-to resist was out of the question. Indeed, she was plainly to
sinuating voice, and a greasy, familiar manner that was most offensive. They had given her the scrap of torn lace and the dé
showed he
will not harm you, my beauty, my pretty, my little one. Oh, no, no, I will not trouble you, dearie. No, trust
eatening, half-coaxing whisper, as she came up quite
that I am t
bits, twenty, thirty, forty francs-you'd better." She shook the soft arm she held
ing all over, and, feeling hastily for h
while a covetous light came into her faded eyes at the joyous sound. "Five-make it five at once, d'ye hear me?-or I'll call them in and tell them
s emptied the whole contents of
here. I am, oh, so poor, and I have children, many babies.
ner, where she stowed the money safely away. Then she came back,
told to look for it, to search for it on you;" and with a quick gesture she lifted t
pretty-right. And some day, to-day, to-morrow, whe
ad she done? Put herself into the power o
incess? What hav
ment for inspection, and as the Countess leaned forwa
one were looking, it would ruin you. I could not save you then. Sh! say
t over and over in her open palm, with a perp
d been-But how had it come here, into the posse
!" Mother Tontaine put her long finger to her lip. "Not a word! I have found nothin
He looked much disconcerted when the old woman took him on one side
tify suspicion, nothing,
ss, to his surprise, did not complain. He had expected further and strong upbraidings. Strange to say, she took it very quietly. There was no indig
h his colleague, while th
asked the Judge. "What
nswered the det
aid the Judge, slyly. "After your s
sure I shall yet justify them. But what I wish n
would sha
stance. He speaks English, and he can, if nec
d the Commissary, with his o
I will give the necessary orders, and perhaps you will
h many bows and apologies, that her regretted but unavoidable detention was at an end. Not only was she freely allowed to depart, but she was escorted by both M. Flo
vial had not been restored
d not given these a second thought, or she d
ed at a discreet distance by a modest fiacre, which pulled up, eventually, outside the H?tel Madagascar. Its occupant, M. Galipaud, kept the C