een reached, with results that seemed

of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account. The Countess might have some confederate among them-this pestilent English Ge

, and that, so far, he had neglected them. One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry. T

im, it was agreed that the Italian's offer seemed the

the answer roused him at once to intense interest, and he

Ripaldi. I am a detective offic

nheard of. Why in the name of all the devils have you

ld him half an hour ago I had so

But why were you so re

felt disposed to force on him what I k

ll not end here. Your superiors shall hear

story,-that I offered you fairly, and at the first opportunity

your manifest duty. You are an offi

find that Natale Ripaldi-your humble servant-travelled by the through express with their kno

a word, have y

u who the murd

w that

ession, his business, his object in travelling, for I was

ious character,

absconding from Ro

ef, in

ms of his hands with a gest

hat which he was removing was,

cit and get on," interrupte

ter; but if questi

ge inte

y. We can interrog

e years it has fallen into difficulties. Its financial soundness was doubted in certain circles, and the Government was warned that a great scandal was imminent. So the matter was h

and liked in Rome, indeed, many who heard the adverse reports dis

hoed the fiery

nds, the houses he visited. I soon knew much that I wanted to know, although not all. But one fact I discovered, and think

e Countess of that name, who w

ch other eagerly, and M. Beaumont le Hardi quickly turned ov

ered man, Quadling, and here was positive

in the Via Margutta, and when he left her he returned to his own place in the Condotti, entered the bank, stayed h

ou fol

his plans had been laid, and that he was on the point of leaving Rome secretly. When, presently, La Castagn

you not a

, I had no warrant for his arrest. But I decided on the spur of the moment what course I should take

your superio

but have you any right to inquire into my conduct towards my superiors? In all that aff

ou had better be careful, lest you obstruct justice.

rcumstances. If my susp

suspic

off any large sum in cash, notes,

know th

tment once and saw him in the act of coun

other significantly. They had got

se, would have jus

ris, to claim the assistance of your police and

eached in the inquiry: the motive for the murder had been made clear, a

t of this dark-visaged Italian detective,

Ripaldi. "During the journey, now, did yo

pt very much

suppose, at th

Modane an

not speak

a w

on, do you think, a

know me. I had taken pain

k to any oth

ntess. Yes, once or twic

all? She has not been seen. It is st

fact?" suggested Ripal

e with her mistress. Can you o

very good friends, I think. On better, more famil

d knew s

an idea. But I give it y

his maid-what

other friends-the porter and the English Colonel. I

become of her?"

of her? That is, if you have no more quest

d let you know in a moment

lone, the offici

r appearance, he was in possession o

tee have we of his loyalty, his good faith? What if he is also concerned in the crime-has some gui

ar-fetched, eh?" said the Judge. "Why not utilize this man? If he betrays us-serv

him," said the Commissary, the first

You have another man here, Chie

your services, monsieur, and you can begin your searc

her mistr

u know she

r with us out there. Have

r eye upon her. She has gone to her hotel-

id. No doubt she preceded her mistress to the

se? They might give you the slip. You have

utions, and I can alway

le time, a great opportunity, and we wish to guard against that, so w

n readily assented, but a shrewd listener might have guessed from th

ef, and the second detective inspect

ed by the short frock coat he wore; he had smallish pig's eyes buried deep in

has been so obliging as to offer us his services. You will accompany him, in the first instan

nown to M. Galipaud?" suggested the Italian. "

s appearance. Besides, he does not know the lat

me a few lines

like this pertinacity, and looked at his colleagues as though he sought their concurrence i

y I am in your hands. And if I do not meet with the maid at the hotel, I may have to look f

he two detectives, already excellent friends from the free