Red Széll

I have glanced over her account.

The last cheque but one paid her bill at Lausanne, but it was a large one and probably left her with cash in hand.

Only one cheque has been drawn since.

To whom and where?

To Miss Marie Devine.

There is nothing to show where the cheque was drawn.

It was cashed at the Crédit Lyonnais at Montpellier less than three weeks ago.

The sum was £50.

And who is Miss Marie Devine?

That also I have been able to discover.

Miss Marie Devine was the maid of Lady Frances Carfax.

Why she should have paid her this check we have not yet determined.

I have no doubt, however, that your researches will soon clear the matter up.

My researches.

Hence the health-giving expedition to Lausanne.

you know that I cannot possibly leave London while old Abrahams is in such mortal terror of his life.

Besides, on general principles it is best that I should not leave the country.

Scotland Yard feels lonely without me, and it causes an unhealthy excitement among the criminal classes.

Go then, my dear Watson, and if my humble counsel can ever be valued at so extravagant a rate as two pence a word, it waits your disposal night and day at the end of the Continental Wire.

Two days later found me at the Hotel National at Lausanne, where I received every courtesy at the hands of Monsieur Moser, the well-known manager.