Red Széll

She was very happy at Lausanne.

There was every reason to believe that she intended to remain for the season in her luxurious rooms overlooking the lake.

And yet she had left at a single day's notice, which involved her in the useless payment of a week's rent.

Only Jules Vibard, the lover of the maid, had any suggestion to offer.

He connected the sudden departure with the visit to the hotel a day or two before of a tall, dark-bearded man.

Un sauvage, un véritable sauvage, cried Jules Vibard.

The man had rooms somewhere in the town.

He had been seen talking earnestly to Madame on the promenade by the lake.

Then he had called.

She had refused to see him.

He was English, but of his name there was no record.

Madame had left the place immediately afterwards.

Jules Vibard and what was of more importance Jules Vibard's sweetheart thought that this call and the departure were cause and effect.

Only one thing Jules would not discuss.

That was the reason why Marie had left her mistress.

Of that he could or would say nothing.

If I wish to know I must go to Montpellier and ask her.

So ended the first chapter of my inquiry.

The second was devoted to the place which Lady Frances Carfax had sought when she left Lausanne.

Concerning this, there had been some secrecy which confirmed the idea that she had gone with the intention of throwing someone off her track.