you saw him? You had never met him previously in Rome, where you
resided?"

"Whom do you mean? The murdered man?"

"Who else?"

"No, not that I am aware of. At least I did not recognize him as a
friend."

"I presume, if he was among your friends--"

"Pardon me, that he certainly was not," interrupted the Countess.

"Well, among your acquaintances--he would probably have made himself
known to you?"

"I suppose so."

"And he did not do so? He never spoke to you, nor you to him?"

"I never saw him, the occupant of that compartment, except on that one
occasion. I kept a good deal in my compartment during the journey."

"Alone? It must have been very dull for you," said the Judge,
pleasantly.

"I was not always alone," said the Countess, hesitatingly, and with a
slight flush. "I had friends in the car."