graphs up there. Did you not say so only a moment ago? I am greatly
obliged for the information."

The girl stepped across the room and removed the two photographs from
their places. Nobody interfered; as a matter of fact, they were all
secretly admiring the girl's courage.

"These two faces I know," she said. "That is Countess de la Moray, and
that is the man who called himself General Gastang. They were staying at
the hotel on the night that my poor dear father's body so strangely
disappeared. The Countess was so good as to extend to me her deepest
sympathy; she asked me to go and stay with her in Paris."

The woman called Cora laughed. The comedy of it appealed to her and she
could not help it. She was thinking of the easy way in which she had
deceived Beatrice. Something like an oath came from Sartoris. He had his
own very good reasons why Beatrice should be deceived in this matter.

"I assure you that you are quite mistaken," he said.

"Indeed I am nothing of the kind," Beatrice cried. "Now that I know the
truth, I can see the likeness plainly enough. I don't say that I should
have done so had I not had so strong a hint a little while ago, but you
cannot disguise features out of recognition. And I say that those two
people are no more than vulgar swindlers."

Again the woman laughed, but the man's face grew dark.

"You are very bold," the man called Reggie growled. "If you have any
friends near----"

It was on the tip of Beatrice's tongue to say that she had, but she
wisely restrained herself. At the same time it was good to be reminded
that Berrington was close by and that perhaps he was listening to the
conversation at the present moment.

"I am stating no more than the truth," Beatrice went on. "The so-called
Countess came to me and she pretended sympathy. She made me believe that
she was an old friend of my father. Then she went away, leaving General
Gastang to talk to me. I will tell you presently what she was going to
do. I have been finding out things for myself."

The woman did not laugh this time; there was an angry spot on either
cheek.

"You are piquante and interesting," she said. "Pray believe that I am
listening to you with the deepest attention. It is good to have one's
thoughts read for one in this fashion."

"I was alone with the General," said Beatrice, ignoring the last speaker
altogether. "Fortunately for me, the General recognized some
acquaintance--probably a police officer--for