that you and Madame Wachner are not afraid to leave the châlet alone for
so many hours of each day! Your servant always goes away after lunch,
doesn't she?"

"There is nothing to steal," he answered shortly. "We always carry all
our money about with us--all sensible people do so at Lacville and at
Monte Carlo."

Madame Wachner was now on Sylvia's other side.

"Yes," she interposed, rather breathlessly, "that is so; and I 'ope that
you, dear friend, followed the advice we gave you about the matter? I
mean, I 'ope you do not leave your money in the hotel?"

"Of course I don't," said Sylvia, smiling. "Ever since you gave me those
pretty little leather pouches I always carry all my money about with me,
strapped round my waist. At first it wasn't very comfortable, but I have
got quite used to it now."

"That is right," said Madame Wachner, heartily, "that is quite right!
There are rogues everywhere, perhaps even in the Villa du Lac, if we knew
everything!" and Sylvia's hostess laughed in the darkness her hearty,
jovial laugh.

Suddenly she bent forward and addressed her husband. "By the way, Ami
Fritz, have you written that letter to the Villa du Lac?" She nodded,
explaining to Sylvia, "We are anxious to get a room in your beautiful
pension for a rich friend of ours."

Sylvia had the instant feeling--she could not have told why--that his