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"No!" cried Harry Wethermill

Hanaud took no notice of the interruption

"Secondly the woman came to the house with Mme Dauvray and Mlle

Celie between nine and half-past nine Thirdly, the ate, and was admitted

into the salon, unperceived by Mme Dauvray That also we can

safely assume But what happened in the salon? Ah! There is the

question" Then he shrugged his shoulders and said with the note

of raillery once more in his voice: "But why should we trouble our heads to puzzle out this mystery,

since M Ricardo knows?"

"I?" cried Ricardo in amazement

"To be sure," replied Hanaud calmly "For I look at another of

your questions 'WHAT DID THE TORN-UP SCRAP OF WRITING MEAN?' and

you add: 'Probably spirit-writing' Then there was a seance held

last night in the little salon! Is that so?"

Harry Wethermill started Mr Ricardo was at a loss

"I had not followed estion to its conclusion," he admitted

humbly

"No," said Hanaud "But I ask myself in sober earnest, 'Was there

a seance held in the salon last night?' Did the tambourine rattle

in the darkness on the wall?"

"But if Helene Vauquier's story is all untrue?" cried Wetherain in exasperation