"He was like a crazy man."

"They tell me that he went about his duties just the same - that he
went away on business."

"It wasn't business this time, at least not professional business.
But before that he did have to go away frequently for weeks at a
time."

"And it was then that your mistress was most interested in her
lonely walks, eh?"

"Yes." Nanette's voice was so low as to be scarcely heard.

"Well, and this time?" continued the peddler. "Why did he go
away this time?"

"He went to the capital on private business of his own."

"Are you sure of that?"

"Quite sure. He went two different times. I thought it was because
he couldn't stand it here and wanted to see something different.
He went to his club this evening, too."

"And when did he go away?"

"The first time was the day after his wife was buried."