this pestilent English General, perhaps, who had
made himself so conspicuous in her defence; or some one of them might
throw light upon her movements, upon her conduct during the journey.

Then, with a spasm of self-reproach, M. Flocon remembered that two
distinct suggestions had been made to him by two of the travellers, and
that, so far, he had neglected them. One was the significant hint from
the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry. The other was the
General's sneering assertion that the train had not continued its
journey uninterruptedly between Laroche and Paris.

Consulting the Judge, and laying these facts before him, it was agreed
that the Italian's offer seemed the most important, and he was
accordingly called in next.

"Who and what are you?" asked the Judge, carelessly, but the answer
roused him at once to intense interest, and he could not quite resist a
glance of reproach at M. Flocon.

"My name I have given you--Natale Ripaldi. I am a detective officer
belonging to the Roman police."

"What!" cried M. Flocon, colouring deeply. "This is unheard of. Why in
the name of all the devils have you withheld this most astonishing
statement until now?"

"Monsieur surely remembers. I told him half an hour ago I had something
important to communicate--"

"Yes, yes, of course. But why were you so reticent. Good Heavens!"

"Monsieur was not so encouraging that I felt disposed to force on him
what I knew he would have to hear in due course."

"It is monstrous--quite abominable, and shall not end here. Your
superiors shall hear of your conduct," went on the Chief, hotly.

"They will also hear, and, I think, listen to my version of the
story,--that I offered you fairly, and at the first opportunity, all the
information I had, and that you refused to accept it."

"You should have persisted. It was your manifest duty. You are an
officer of the law, or you say you are."

"Pray telegraph at once, if you think fit, to Rome, to the police
authorities, and you will find that Natale Ripaldi--your humble
servant--travelled by the through express with their knowledge and
authority. And here are my credentials, my official card, some official
letters--"

"And what, in a word, have you to tell us?"

"I can tell you who the murdered man was."

"We know that already."

"Possibly; but only his name, I apprehend. I know his profession, his
business, his object in travelling, for I was appointed to watch an