d.

"Now this man, this poor man, had you noticed him at all? No--no--not
afterwards, 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 which
you saw him? You had never met him previously in Rome, where you
resided?"

"Whom do you mean? The murdered man?"

"Who else?"

"No, not that I am aware of. At least I did not recognize him as a
friend."

"I presume, if he was among your friends--"

"Pardon me, that he certainly was not," interrupted the Countess.

"Well, among your acquaintances--he would probably have made himself
known to you?"

"I suppose so."

"And he did not do so? He never spoke to you, nor you to him?"

"I never saw him, the occupant of that compartment, except on that one
occasion. I kept a good deal in my compartment during the journey."

"Alone? It must have been very dull for you," said the Judge,
pleasantly.

"I was not always alone," said the Countess, hesitatingly, and with a
slight flush. "I had friends in the car."

"Oh--oh"--the exclamation was long-drawn and rather significant.

"Who were they? You may as well tell us, madame, we should certainly
find out."

"I have no wish to withhold the information," she replied, now turning
pale, possibly at the imputation conveyed. "Why should I?"

"And these friends were--?"

"Sir Charles Collingham and his brother. They came and sat with me
occasionally; sometimes one, sometimes the other."

"During the day?"

"Of course, during the day." Her eyes flashed, as though the question
was another offence.

"Have you known them long?"

"The General I met in Roman society last winter. It was he who
introduced his brother."

"Very good, so far. The General knew you, took an interest in you. That
explains his strange, unjustifiable conduct just now--"

"I do not think it was either strange or unjustifiable," interrupted the
Countess, hotly. "_He_ is a gentleman."

"Quite a _preux cavalier_, of course. But we will pass on. You are not a
good sleeper, I believe, madame?"

"Indeed no, I sleep badly, as a rule."

"Then you would be easily disturbed. Now, last night, did you hear
anything strange in the car, more particularly in the adjoining
compartment?"

"Nothing."

"No sound of voices raised high, no