Page 44 (1/2)

Helene Vauquier bent her head over the paper

"No," said Helene at last "I do not think I have o" And she handed the paper back

"I asked you," Hanaud continued suavely, "because I understand

that Mlle Celie usually wore a pair of diamond ear-drops, and

they are not mentioned here"

A faint colour caotten It is quite true"

"Any onesmile "But

you will reht?" He leaned forward, waiting for her reply Wetherht the point of

great importance The

"It is not froet the answer,"

said Hanaud quietly

"No,

at the rebuke

"Did she wear theht?" he

insisted

"I think she wore them," she said doubtfully Ye-es--yes," and the

words came now firm and clear "I remember well Mlle Celie had

taken the-

table She put theed the bow of ribbon in it"

"Then ill add the earrings to your description," said Hanaud,

as he rose from his chair with the paper in his hand, "and for the

moment we need not trouble you any more about Mademoiselle Celie"

He folded the paper up, slipped it into his letter-case, and put