s, or possessed of some guilty knowledge tending to
incriminate the Countess and probably herself. She had run away to avoid
any 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 plainly
to M. le Juge," said the detective, as he entered the private room set
apart 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 he
knew, all he had discovered, gave his views with all the force and
fluency of a public prosecutor, and was congratulated warmly on the
progress he had made.

"I agree with you, sir," said the instructing judge: "we must have in
the Countess first, and pursue the line indicated as regards the missing
maid."

"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 the
Countess 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 hand
and with the other was preventing him from drawing his sword.
"Desist--forbear! You are opposing legal authority; desist, or I will
call in assistance and will have you secured and removed."

The little Chief's blood was up; he spoke warmly, with all the force and
dignity of an official who sees the law outraged.

"It is entirely the fault of this ruffian of yours; he has behaved most
brutally," replied Sir Charles, still holding him tight.

"Let him go, monsieur; your behaviour is inexcusable. What! you, a
military 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 with
one sharp turn of the wrist he threw the guard off, and sent him flying
nearly across the room, where, being free at last, the Frenchman drew
his sword and brandished it threateningly--from a distance.

But M. Flocon interposed with uplifted hand and insisted upon an
explanation.

"It is just this," replied Sir Charles, speaking fast and w