ch of him if we want
him, as we may."

How much they might want him they only realized when they got further in
their inquiry!

CHAPTER XII

Only the two Frenchmen remained for examination. They had been
left to the last by pure accident. The exigencies of the inquiry
had led to the preference of others, but these two well-broken and
submissive gentlemen made no visible protest. However much they
may have chafed inwardly at the delay, they knew better than to
object; any outburst of discontent would, they knew, recoil on
themselves. Not only were they perfectly patient now when summoned
before the officers of justice, they were most eager to give every
assistance to the law, to go beyond the mere letter, and, if needs
be, volunteer information.

The first called in was the elder, M. Anatole Lafolay, a true
Parisian _bourgeois_, fat and comfortable, unctuous in speech,
and exceedingly deferential.

The story he told was in its main outlines that which we already
know, but he was further questioned, by the light of the latest
facts and ideas as now elicited.

The line adroitly taken by the Judge was to get some evidence of
collusion and combination among the passengers, especially with
reference to two of them, the two women of the party. On this
important point M. Lafolay had something to say.

Asked if he had seen or noticed the lady's maid on the journey, he
answered "yes" very decisively and with a smack of the lips, as
though the sight of this pretty and attractive person had given
him considerable satisfaction.

"Did you speak to her?"

"Oh, no. I had no opportunity. Besides, she had her own friends--
great friends, I fancy. I caught her more than once whispering in
the corner of the car with one of them."

"And that was--?"

"I think the Italian gentleman; I am almost sure I recognized his
clothes. I did not see his face, it was turned from me--towards
hers, and very close, I may be permitted to say."

"And they were friendly?"

"More than friendly, I should say. Very intimate indeed. I should
not have been surprised if--when I turned away as a matter of
fact--if he did not touch, just touch, her red lips. It would have
been excusable--forgive me, messieurs."

"Aha! They were so intimate as that? Indeed! And did she reserve
her favours exclusively for him? Did no one else address her, pay
her court on the quiet--you understand?"

"I saw her with the porter, I believe, at Laroche, but only t