Page 62 (2/2)

us, it is true" He looked at Ricardo's crestfallen face and

sood friend M Ricardo upon that

evidence, but no one else that I know"

Hanaud laughed immoderately at his joke He alone seeht Ricardo was a little

touchy on the subject of his personal appearance, and bridled

visibly Hanaud turned towards Servettaz

"Now," he said, "you kno e?"

"Yes, monsieur"

"Can you tell me, by the amount which has been used, how far that

car was driven last night?" Hanaud asked

Servettaz exa way, monsieur From a hundred and thirty to a hundred and

fifty kilometers, I should say"

"Yes, just about that distance, I should say," cried Hanaud

His eyes brightened, and a smile, a rather fierce smile, came to

his lips He opened the door, and exae, and as he looked, the smile faded from

his face Perplexity returned to it He took the cushions, looked

thean, and then he uttered a little shrill

cry of satisfaction Froe he

picked off a tiny piece of pale green stuff, which he spread out

upon the back of his hand