"No. She was in bed that day, but we thought it was nothing of
importance."

"These fevers come on quickly sometimes," remarked the old man
wisely, and added: "This case interests the entire neighbourhood
and I will show you that I can be grateful for anything you may
tell me - of course, only what a faithful servant could tell. It
will interest my customers very much."

"You know all there is to know," said the valet, evidently
disappointed that he had nothing to tell which could win the
peddler's gratitude. "There are no secrets about it. Everybody
knows that they were a very happy couple, and even if there was a
little talk between them on that day, why it was pure accident and
had nothing to do with the mistress' excitement."

"Then there was a quarrel between them?"

"Are people talking about it?"

"I've heard some things said. They even say that this quarrel
was the reason for - her death."

"It's stupid nonsense!" exclaimed the servant. The old peddler
seemed to like the young man's honest indignation.

While they were talking, they had passed through a long corridor
and the young man laid his hand on one of the doors as the peddler
asked, "Can I see Miss Nanette alone?"