hot, and it is for you to discover who fired at
her," snapped the young Englishman. "I consider that I have just as much
right to put a question to this man as you have, that is"--he added with
sarcasm--"that is, of course, if you don't suspect him of shooting his
mistress."

"Well, I certainly do not suspect that," the Frenchman said. "But,
to tell you candidly, your story of the affair strikes me as a very
improbable one."

"Ah!" laughed Hugh, "I thought so! You suspect me--eh? Very well. Where
is the weapon?"

"Perhaps you have hidden it," suggested the other meaningly. "We shall,
no doubt, find it somewhere."

"I hope you will, and that will lead to the arrest of the guilty
person," Hugh laughed. Then he was about to put further questions to the
man Cataldi when Doctor Leneveu entered the room.

"How is she?" demanded Hugh breathlessly.

The countenance of the fussy little doctor fell.

"Monsieur," he said in a low earnest voice, "I much fear that
Mademoiselle will not recover. My colleague Duponteil concurs with that
view. We have done our best, but neither of us entertain any hope that
she will live!" Then turning to Ogier, the doctor exclaimed: "This is an
amazing affair--especially in face of what is whispered concerning the
unfortunate lady. What do you make of it?"

The officer of the Surete knit his brows, and with frankness replied:

"At present I am entirely mystified--entirely mystified!"

FOURTH CHAPTER

WHAT THE DOSSIER CONTAINED

Walter Brock was awakened at four o'clock that morning by Hugh touching
him upon the shoulder.

He started up in bed and staring at his friend's pale, haggard face
exclaimed:

"Good Heavens!--why, what's the matter?"

"Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo has been shot!" the other replied in a hard
voice.

"Shot!" gasped Brock, startled. "What do you mean?"

Briefly Hugh who had only just entered the hotel, explained the curious
circumstances--how, just at the moment she had been about to reveal the
secret of his father's death she was shot.

"Most extraordinary!" declared his friend. "Surely, we have not been
followed here by someone who is determined to prevent you from knowing
the truth!"

"It seems much like it, Walter," replied the younger man very seriously.
"There must be some strong motive or no person would dare to shoot her
right before my eyes."

"Agreed. Somebody who is concerned in your father's death has adopted
this desperate measure in o