distinctly satisfied, if not exactly exultant, and he went back towards
the station with a strong predisposition against the Contessa di
Castagneto.

Just outside the waiting-room, however, his assistant, Galipaud, met him
with news which rather dashed his hopes, and gave a new direction to his
thoughts.

The lady's maid was not to be found.

"Impossible!" cried the Chief, and then at once suspicion followed
surprise.

"I have looked, monsieur, inquired everywhere; the maid has not been
seen. She certainly is not here."

"Did she go through the barrier with the other passengers?"

"No one knows; no one remembers her; not even the conductor. But she has
gone. That is positive."

"Yet it was her duty to be here; to attend to her service. Her mistress
would certainly want her--has asked for her! Why should she run away?"

This question presented itself as one of infinite importance, to be
pondered over seriously before he went further into the inquiry.

Did the Countess know of this disappearance?

She had asked imploringly for her maid. True, but might that not be a