intimate matters; but on these occasions, how does Mrs. Leroux get on
for money?"

"I have opened a credit for her," explained the novelist, wearily, "at
the Credit Lyonnais, in Paris."

Dunbar scribbled busily in his notebook.

"Does she take her maid with her?" he jerked, suddenly.

"She has no maid at the moment," replied Leroux; "she has been without
one for twelve months or more, now."

"When did you last hear from her?"

"Three days ago."

"Did you answer the letter?"

"Yes; my answer was amongst the mail which Soames took to the post,
to-night."

"You said, though, if I remember rightly, that he was out without
permission?"

Leroux ran his fingers through his hair.

"I meant that he should only have been absent five minutes or so; whilst
he remained out for more than an hour."