withcoronet and monogram, the last of which, although the letters were muchinterlaced and involved, were decipherable as S.L.L.C.
It was that of the Countess, and corresponded with the marks on herother belongings. He put it to his nostril, and recognized at once byits smell that it had contained tincture of laudanum, or somepreparation of that drug.
CHAPTER V
M. Flocon was an experienced detective, and he knew so well that heought to be on his guard against the most plausible suggestions, that hedid not like to make too much of these discoveries. Still, he wasdistinctly satisfied, if not exactly exultant, and he went back towardsthe station with a strong predisposition against the Contessa diCastagneto.
Just outside the waiting-room, however, his assistant, Galipaud, met himwith news which rather dashed his hopes, and gave a new direction to histhoughts.
The lady's maid was not to be found.
"Impossible!" cried the Chief, and then at once suspicion followedsurprise.
"I have looked, monsieur, inquired everywhere; the maid has not beenseen. She certainly is not here."
"Did she go through the barrier with the other passengers?"
"No one knows; no one remembers her; not even the conductor. But she hasgone. That is positive."
"Yet it was her duty to be here; to attend to her service. Her mistresswould certainly want her--has asked for her! Why should she run away?"
This question presented itself as one of infinite importance, to bepondered over seriously before he went further into the inquiry.
Did the Countess know of this disappearance?
She had asked imploringly for her maid. True, but might that not be ablind? Women are born actresses, and at need can assume any part, conveyany impression. Might not the Countess have wished to be dissociatedfrom the maid, and therefore have affected complete ignorance of herflight?
"I will try her further," said M. Flocon to himself.
But then, supposing that the maid had taken herself off of her ownaccord? Why was it? Why had she done so? Because--because she was afraidof something. If so, of what? No direct accusation could be broughtagainst her on the face of it. She had not been in the sleeping-car atthe time of the murder, while the Countess as certainly was; and,according to strong presumption, in the very compartment where the deedwas done. If the maid was afraid, why was she afraid?
Only on one possible hypothesis. That she was either in collusion withthe Countess, or possessed of some guilty knowledge tending toincriminate the Countess and probably herself. She had run away to avoidany inconvenient questioning tending to get her mistress into trouble,which would react probably on herself.
"We must press the Countess on this point closely; I will put it plainlyto M. le Juge," said the detective, as he entered the private room setapart for the police authorities, where he found M. Beaumont le Hardi,the instructing judge, and the Commissary of the Quartier(arrondissement).
A lengthy conference followed among the officials. M. Flocon told all heknew, all he had discovered, gave his views with all the force andfluency of a public prosecutor, and was congratulated warmly on theprogress he had made.
"I agree with you, sir," said the instructing judge: "we must have inthe Countess first, and pursue the line indicated as regards the missingmaid."
"I will fetch her, then. Stay, what can be going on in there?" cried M.Flocon, rising from his seat and running into the outer waiting-room,which, to his surprise and indignation, he found in great confusion.
The guard who was on duty was struggling, in personal conflict almost,with the English General. There was a great hubbub of voices, and theCountess was lying back half-fainting in her chair.
"What's all this? How dare you, sir?"
This to the General, who now had the man by the throat with one handand with the other was preventing him from drawing his sword."Desist--forbear! You are opposing legal authority; desist, or I willcall in assistance and will have you secured and removed."
The little Chief's blood was up; he spoke warmly, with all the force anddignity of an official who sees the law outraged.
"It is entirely the fault of this ruffian of yours; he has behaved mostbrutally," replied Sir Charles, still holding him tight.
"Let him go, monsieur; your behaviour is inexcusable. What! you, amilitary officer of the highest rank, to assault a sentinel! For shame!This is unworthy of you!"
"He deserves to be scragged, the beast!" went on the General, as withone sharp turn of the wrist he threw the guard off, and sent him flyingnearly across the room, where, being free at last, the Frenchman drewhis sword and brandished it threateningly--from a distance.
But M. Flocon interposed with uplifted hand and insisted upon anexplanation.
"It is just this," replied Sir Charles, speaking fast and with muchfierceness: "that lady there--poor thing, she is ill, you can see thatfor yourself, suffering, overwrought; she asked for a glass of water,and this brute, triple brute, as you say in French, refused to bringit."
"I could not leave the room," protested the guard. "My orders wereprecise."
"So I was going to fetch the water," went on the General angrily, eyingthe guard as though he would like to make another grab at him, "and thisfellow interfered."
"Very properly," added M. Flocon.
"Then why didn't he go himself, or call some one? Upon my word,monsieur, you are not to be complimented upon your people, nor yourmethods. I used to think that a Frenchman was gallant, courteous,especially to ladies."
The Chief looked a little disconcerted, but remembering what he knewagainst this particular lady, he stiffened and said severely, "I amresponsible for my conduct to my superiors, and not to you. Besides, youappear to forget your position. You are here, detained--all of you"--hespoke to the whole room--"under suspicion. A ghastly crime has beenperpetrated--by some one among you--"
"Do not be too sure of that," interposed the irrepressible General.
"Who else could be concerned? The train never stopped after leavingLaroche," said the detective, allowing himself to be betrayed intoargument.
"Yes, it did," corrected Sir Charles, with a contemptuous laugh; "showshow much you know."
Again the Chief looked unhappy. He was on dangerous ground, face to facewith a new fact affecting all his theories,--if fact it was, not mereassertion, and that he must speedily verify. But nothing was to begained--much, indeed, might be lost--by prolonging this discussion inthe presence of the whole party. It was entirely opposed to the Frenchpractice of investigation, which works secretly, taking witnessesseparately, one by one, and strictly preventing all intercommunicationor collusion among them.
"What I know or do not know is my affair," he said, with an indifferencehe did not feel. "I shall call upon you, M. le General, for yourstatement in due course, and that of the others." He bowed stiffly tothe whole room. "Every one must be interrogated. M. le Juge is now here,and he proposes to begin, madame, with you."
The Countess gave a little start, shivered, and turned very pale.
"Can't you see she is not equal to it?" cried the General, hotly. "Shehas not yet recovered. In the name of--I do not say chivalry, for thatwould be useless--but of common humanity, spare madame, at least for thepresent."
"That is impossible, quite impossible. There are reasons why Madame laComtesse should be examined first. I trust, therefore, she will make aneffort."
"I will try, if you wish it." She rose from her chair and walked a fewsteps rather feebly, then stopped.
"No, no, Countess, do not go," said Sir Charles, hastily, in English, ashe moved across to where she stood and gave her his hand. "This is sheercruelty, sir, and cannot be permitted."
"Stand aside!" shouted M. Flocon; "I forbid you to approach that lady,to address her, or communicate with her. Guard, advance, do your duty."
But the guard, although his sword was still out of its sheath, showedgreat reluctance to move. He had no desire to try conclusions again withthis very masterful person, who was, moreo
ver, a general; as he had seenservice, he had a deep respect for generals, even of foreign growth.
Meanwhile the General held his ground and continued his conversationwith the Countess, speaking still in English, thus exasperating M.Flocon, who did not understand the language, almost to madness.
"This is not to be borne!" he cried. "Here, Galipaud, Block;" and whenhis two trusty assistants came rushing in, he pointed furiously to theGeneral. "Seize him, remove him by force if necessary. He shall go tothe _violon_--to the nearest lock-up."
The noise attracted also the Judge and the Commissary, and there werenow six officials in all, including the guard, all surrounding theGeneral, a sufficiently imposing force to overawe even the mostrecalcitrant fire-eater.
But now the General seemed to see only the comic side of the situation,and he burst out laughing.
"What, all of you? How many more? Why not bring up cavalry andartillery, horse, foot, and guns?" he asked, derisively. "All to preventone old man from offering his services to one weak woman! Gentlemen, myregards!"
"Really, Charles, I fear you are going too far," said his brother theclergyman, who, however, had been manifestly enjoying the whole scene.
"Indeed, yes. It is not necessary, I assure you," added the Countess,with tears of gratitude in her big brown eyes. "I am most touched, mostthankful. You are a true soldier, a true English gentleman, and I shallnever forget your kindness." Then she put her hand in his with a pretty,winning gesture that was reward enough for any man.
Meanwhile, the Judge, the senior official present, had learned exactlywhat had happened, and he now addressed the General with a calm butstern rebuke.
"Monsieur will not, I trust, oblige us to put in force the full power ofthe law. I might, if I chose, and as I am fully entitled, commit you atonce to Mazas, to keep you in solitary confinement. Your conduct hasbeen deplorable, well calculated to traverse and impede justice. But Iam willing to believe that you were led away, not unnaturally, as agallant gentleman,--it is the characteristic of your nation, of yourcloth,--and that on more mature consideration you will acknowledge andnot repeat your error."
M. Beaumont le Hardi was a grave, florid, soft-voiced person, with abald head and a comfortably-lined white waistcoat; one who sought hisends by persuasion, not force, but who had the instincts of a gentleman,and little sympathy with the peremptory methods of his more inflammablecolleague.
"Oh, with all my heart, monsieur," said Sir Charles, cordially. "Yousaw, or at least know, how this has occurred. I did not begin it, norwas I the most to blame. But I was in the wrong, I admit. What do youwish me to do now?"
"Give me your promise to abide by our rules,--they may be irksome, butwe think them necessary,--and hold no further converse with yourcompanions."
"Certainly, certainly, monsieur,--at least after I have said one wordmore to Madame la Comtesse."
"No, no, I cannot permit even that--"
But Sir Charles, in spite of the warning finger held up by the Judge,insisted upon crying out to her, as she was being led into the otherroom:
"Courage, dear lady, courage. Don't let them bully you. You have nothingto fear."
Any further defiance of authority was now prevented by her almostforcible removal from the room.
CHAPTER VI
The stormy episode just ended had rather a disturbing effect on M.Flocon, who could scarcely give his full attention to all the points,old and new, that had now arisen in the investigation. But he would havetime to go over them at his leisure, while the work of interrogation wasundertaken by the Judge.
The latter had taken his seat at a small table, and just opposite washis _greffier_, or clerk, who was to write down question and answer,_verbatim_. A little to one side, with the light full on the face, thewitness was seated, bearing the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes--theJudge first, and behind him, those of the Chief Detective and theCommissary of Police.
"I trust, madame, that you are equal to answering a few questions?"began M. le Hardi, blandly.
"Oh, yes, I hope so. Indeed, I have no choice," replied the Countess,bravely resigned.
"They will refer principally to your maid."
"Ah!" said the Countess, quickly and in a troubled voice, yet she borethe gaze of the three officials without flinching.
"I want to know a little more about her, if you please."
"Of course. Anything I know I will tell you." She spoke now with perfectself-possession. "But if I might ask--why this interest?"
"I will tell you frankly. You asked for her, we sent for her, and--"
"Yes?"
"She cannot be found. She is not in the station."
The Countess all but jumped from her chair in her surprise--surprisethat seemed too spontaneous to be feigned.
"Impossible! it cannot be. She would not dare to leave me here likethis, all alone."
"_Parbleu_! she has dared. Most certainly she is not here."
"But what can have become of her?"
"Ah, madame, what indeed? Can you form any idea? We hoped you might havebeen able to enlighten us."
"I cannot, monsieur, not in the least."
"Perchance you sent her on to your hotel to warn your friends that youwere detained? To fetch them, perhaps, to you in your trouble?"
The trap was neatly contrived, but she was not deceived.
"How could I? I knew of no trouble when I saw her last."
"Oh, indeed? and when was that?"
"Last night, at Amberieux, as I have already told that gentleman." Shepointed to M. Flocon, who was obliged to nod his head.
"Well, she has gone away somewhere. It does not much matter, still it isodd, and for your sake we should like to help you to find her, if youdo wish to find her?"
Another little trap which failed.
"Indeed I hardly think she is worth keeping after this barefaceddesertion."
"No, indeed. And she must be held to strict account for it, must justifyit, give her reasons. So we must find her for you--"
"I am not at all anxious, really," the Countess said, quickly, and theremark told against her.
"Well, now, Madame la Comtesse, as to her description. Will you tell uswhat was her height, figure, colour of eyes, hair, general appearance?"
"She was tall, above the middle height, at least; slight, good figure,black hair and eyes."
"Pretty?"
"That depends upon what you mean by 'pretty.' Some people might thinkso, in her own class."
"How was she dressed?"
"In plain dark serge, bonnet of black straw and brown ribbons. I do notallow my maid to wear colours."
"Exactly. And her name, age, place of birth?"
"Hortense Petitpre, thirty-two, born, I believe, in Paris."
The Judge, when these particulars had been given, looked over hisshoulder towards the detective, but said nothing. It was quiteunnecessary, for M. Flocon, who had been writing in his note-book, nowrose and left the room. He called Galipaud to him, saying sharply:
"Here is the more detailed description of the lady's maid, and inwriting. Have it copied and circulate it at once. Give it to thestation-master, and to the agents of police round about here. I have anidea--only an idea--that this woman has not gone far. It may be worthnothing, still there is the chance. People who are wanted often hangabout the very place they would _not_ stay in if they were wise. Anyhow,set a watch for her and come back here."
Meanwhile, the Judge had continued his questioning.
"And where, madame, did you obtain your maid?"
"In Rome. She was there, out of a place. I heard of her at an agency andregistry office, when I was looking for a maid a month or two ago."
"Then she has not been long in your service?"
"No; as I tell you, she came to me in December last."
"Well recommended?"
"Strongly. She had lived with good families, French and English."
"And with you, what was her character?"
"Irreproachable."
"Well, so much for Hortense Petitpre. She is not far off, I dare say.When we want her we shall be able to lay hands on her, I do not doubt,madame may rest assured."
"Pray take no trouble in the matter. I certainly should not keep her."
"Very well, very well. And now, another small matter. I see," hereferred to the rough plan of the sleeping-car prepared by M.Flocon,--"I see that you occupied the compartment _d_, with berths Nos.9 and 10?"
"I think 9 was the number of my berth."
"It was. You may be certain of that. Now next door to yourcompartment--do you know who was next door? I mean in 7 and 8?"
The Countess's lip quivered, and she was a prey to sudden emotion as sheanswered in a low voice:
"It was where--where--"
"There, there, madame," said the Judge, reassuring her as he would alittle child. "You need not say. It is no doubt very distressing to you.Yet, you know?"
She bent her head slowly, but uttered no word.
"Now this man, this poor man, had you noticed him at all? No--no--notafterwards, of course. It would not be likely. But during the journey.Did you speak to him, or he to you?"
"No, no--distinctly no."
"Nor see him?"
"Yes, I saw him, I believe, at Modane with the rest when we dined."
"Ah! exactly so. He dined at Modane. Was that the only occasion on whichyou saw him? You had never met him previously in Rome, where