see me."

"Did he speak to any other passenger?"

"Very little. To the Countess. Yes, once or twice, I think, to her
maid."

"Ah! that maid. Did you notice her at all? She has not been seen. It is
strange. She seems to have disappeared."

"To have run away, in fact?" suggested Ripaldi, with a queer smile.

"Well, at least she is not here with her mistress. Can you offer any
explanation of that?"

"She was perhaps afraid. The Countess and she were very good friends, I
think. On better, more familiar terms, than is usual between mistress
and maid."

"The maid knew something?"

"Ah, monsieur, it is only an idea. But I give it you for what it is
worth."

"Well, well, this maid--what was she like?"

"Tall, dark, good-looking, not too reserved. She made other friends--the
porter and the English Colonel. I saw the last speaking to her. I spoke
to her myself."