第19部分(第5/7 頁)

Mirelle　nodded　vehemently。

〃Yes。〃

〃Who　was　it？〃　asked　the　te　sharply。

〃Her　husband。〃　She　bent　nearer　to　the　te；　speaking　in　a　low　voice　that　vibrated　with　anger　and　excitement。　〃It　was　her　husband　who　killed　her。〃

The　te　leant　back　in　his　chair。　His　face　was　a　mask。

〃Let　me　ask　you；　Mademoiselle　…　how　do　you　know　this？〃

〃How　do　I　know　it？〃　Mirelle　sprang　to　her　feet；　with　a　laugh。　〃He　boasted　of　it　beforehand。　He　was　ruined；　bankrupt；　dishonoured。　Only　the　death　of　his　wife　could　save　him。　He　told　me　so。　He　travelled　on　the　same　train　…　but　she　was　not　to　know　it。　Why　was　that；　I　ask　you？　So　that　he　might　creep　upon　her　in　the　night　…　Ah！　…〃　she　shut　her　eyes　…　〃I　can　see　it　happening。。。〃

The　Count　coughed。

〃Perhaps　…　perhaps；〃　he　murmured。　〃But　surely；　Mademoiselle；　in　that　case　he　would　not　steal　the　jewels？〃

〃The　jewels！〃　breathed　Mirelle。　〃The　jewels。　Ah！　Those　rubies。。。〃

Her　eyes　grew　misty；　a　far…away　light　in　them。　The　te　looked　at　her　curiously；　wondering　for　the　hundredth　time　at　the　magical　influence　of　precious　stones　on　the　female　sex。　He　recalled　her　to　practical　matters。

〃What　do　you　want　me　to　do；　Mademoiselle？〃

Mirelle　became　alert　and　businesslike　once　more。

〃Surely　it　is　simple。　You　will　go　to　the　police。　You　will　say　to　them　that　M。　Kettering　mitted　this　crime。〃

〃And　if　they　do　not　believe　me？　If　they　ask　for　proof？〃　He　was　eyeing　her　closely。

Mirelle　laughed　softly；　and　drew　her　orange…and…black　wrap　closer　round　her。

〃Send　them　to　me；　Monsieur　le　te；〃　she　said　softly；　〃I　will　give　them　the　proof　they　want。〃

Upon　that　she　was　gone；　an　impetuous　whirlwind；　her　errand　acplished。

The　te　looked　after　her；　his　eyebrows　delicate