y.

There he was now, standing just behind the General, and for the
present unseen by him.

But then a telegraph messenger came in and up to the desk. He held
the usual blue envelope in his hand, and called out the name on
the address:

"Castagneto. Contessa Castagneto."

At sound of which the General turned sharply, to find Galipaud
advancing and stretching out his hand to take the message.

"Pardon me," cried Sir Charles, promptly interposing and
understanding the situation at a glance. "I am just going up to
see that lady. Give me the telegram."

Galipaud would have disputed the point, when the General, who had
already recognized him, said quietly:

"No, no, Inspector, you have no earthly right to it. I guess why
you are here, but you are not entitled to interfere with private
correspondence. Stand back;" and seeing the detective hesitate, he
added peremptorily:

"Enough of this. I order you to get out of the way. And be quick
about it!"

The manager now returned, and admitted that Madame la Comtesse
would receive her visitor. A few seconds more, and the General was
admitted into her presence.

"How truly kind of you to call!" she said at once, coming up to
him with both hands outstretched and frank gladness in her eyes.

Yes, she was very attractive in her plain, dark travelling dress
draping her tall, graceful figure; her beautiful, pale face was
enhanced by the rich tones of her dark brown, wavy hair, while
just a narrow band of white muslin at her wrists and neck set off
the dazzling clearness of her skin.

"Of course I came. I thought you might want me, or might like to
know the latest news," he answered, as he held her hands in his
for a few seconds longer than was perhaps absolutely necessary.

"Oh, do tell me! Is there anything fresh?" There was a flash of
crimson colour in her cheek, which faded almost instantly.

"This much. They have found out who the man was."

"Really? Positively? Whom do they say now?"

"Perhaps I had better not tell you. It may surprise you, shock you
to hear. I think you knew him--"

"Nothing can well shock me now. I have had too many shocks
already. Who do they think it is?"

"A Mr. Quadling, a banker, who is supposed to have absconded from
Rome."

She received the news so impassively, with such strange self-possession,
that for a moment he was disappointed in her. But then, quick to excuse,
he suggested:

"You may have already heard?"

"Yes; the police