I am very unhappy, and very unreasonable--but I am only a woman,
and you must not expect too much from me.'

Foiled in this direction, the lawyer next advised making the attempt
to discover the present address of Lady Montbarry's English maid.
This excellent suggestion had one drawback: it could only be
carried out by spending money--and there was no money to spend.
Mrs. Ferrari shrank from the bare idea of making any use
of the thousand-pound note. It had been deposited in the safe
keeping of a bank. If it was even mentioned in her hearing,
she shuddered and referred to it, with melodramatic fervour, as 'my
husband's blood-money!'

So, under stress of circumstances, the attempt to solve the mystery
of Ferrari's disappearance was suspended for a while.



It was the last month of the year 1860. The commission of inquiry
was already at work; having begun its investigations on December 6.
On the 10th, the term for which the late Lord Montbarry had hired
the Venetian palace, expired. News by telegram reached the insurance
offices that Lady Montbarry had been advised by her lawyers to leave
for London with as little delay as possible. Baron Rivar, it was believed,
would accompany her to England, but would not remain in that country,
unless his services were absolutely required by her ladyship.
The Baron, 'well known as an enthusiastic student of chemistry,'
had heard of certain recent discoveries in connection with that
science in the United States, and was anxious to investigate
them personally.