me letters for Madame Bernstein by the
post, which the other girl took up to her bedroom. As soon as she read
them she sent down for Mrs. Jimson and called for her bill. 'I leave
for Paris in an hour's time, Mrs. Jimson,' says she, sort of
short-like, for I heard her myself; 'so make me out my bill and let me
have it quickly.'"

"And did Miss Petrovitch appear at all surprised or put out at having
to leave London at such short notice?" Browne asked, not without a
little trepidation.

"Well, sir, that was exactly what I was a-going to tell you," the girl
replied, dropping her voice a little, and glancing back over her
shoulder into the house, as if she were afraid of being overheard.
"She did seem precious put out about it; at least so the other girl
says. Jane tells me she feels certain Miss Petrovitch had been crying,
her eyes were that red, and when she went into the room she and madame
were at it hammer and tongs.

"I suppose they left no message for any one?" Browne inquired, refusing
to comment on what the girl had just told him.

"Not as I know of, sir," the young woman replied. "But if you will
just wait a minute I'll go in and ask Mrs. Jimson. She will be sure to
know."

Browne contained his patience as best he could for some five or six
minutes. Then the girl returned and shook her head.

"There's no message of any sort, sir," she said; "at least not as Mrs.
Jimson knows of."

"Thank you," said Browne simply. "I am much obliged to you."

As he said it he slipped half a sovereign into the girl's hand. The
bribe completed the effect the touch of romance, combined with his
pleasing personality, to say nothing of his smart cab drawn up beside
the pavement, had already produced. Not only would she have told him
all she knew, but, had she dared, she would have gone so far as to have
expressed her sympathy with him.

Browne was about to descend the steps, when another idea occurred to
him, and he turned to the girl again.

"You do not happen to be aware of their address in Paris, I suppose?"
he inquired. "I have a particular reason for asking the question."

"Hush, sir!" she whispered. "If you really want to know it, I believe
I can find out for you. Madame Bernstein wrote it down for Mrs.
Jimson, so that she could send on any letters that came for her. I
know where Mrs. Jimson put the piece of paper, and if you'll just wait
a minute longer, I'll see if I can find it for you and copy it out.