ccupied by her ladyship and the Baron.
She was recommended to fill this situation by the keeper of the
restaurant who has supplied the meals to the family throughout the
period of their residence at the palace. Her character is most
favourably spoken of. Unfortunately, her limited intelligence makes
her of no value as a witness. We were patient and careful in
questioning her, and we found her perfectly willing to answer us; but
we could elicit nothing which is worth including in the present report.

'On the second day of our inquiries, we had the honour of an interview
with Lady Montbarry. Her ladyship looked miserably worn and ill, and
seemed to be quite at a loss to understand what we wanted with her.
Baron Rivar, who introduced us, explained the nature of our errand in
Venice, and took pains to assure her that it was a purely formal duty
on which we were engaged. Having satisfied her ladyship on this point,
he discreetly left the room.

'The questions which we addressed to Lady Montbarry related mainly, of
course, to his lordship's illness. The answers, given with great
nervousness of manner, but without the slightest appearance of reserve,
informed us of the facts that follow:

'Lord Montbarry had been out of order for some time past--nervous and
irritable. He first complained of having taken cold on November 13
last; he passed a wakeful and feverish night, and remained in bed the
next day. Her ladyship proposed sending for medical advice. He
refused to allow her to do this, saying that he could quite easily be
his own doctor in such a trifling matter as a cold. Some hot lemonade
was made at his request, with a view to producing perspiration. Lady
Montbarry's maid having left her at that time, the courier Ferrari
(then the only servant in the house) went out to buy the lemons. Her
ladyship made the drink with her own hands. It was successful in
producing perspiration--and Lord Montbarry had some hours of sleep
afterwards. Later in the day, having need of Ferrari's services, Lady
Montbarry rang for him. The bell was not answered. Baron Rivar
searched for the man, in the palace and out of it, in vain. From that
time forth not a trace of Ferrari could be discovered. This happened
on November 14.

'On the night of the 14th, the feverish symptoms accompanying his
lordship's cold returned. They were in part perhaps attributable to
the annoyance and alarm caused by Ferrari's mysterious disappearance.
It had been impos