But of what use was it to dissemble?
Schrotter would have to know.

He glanced over Auguste's stiff characters.
The man wrote in his ill-bred tone, with spelling to match: "PARIS, March 26, 1880.
"MONSIEUR LE DOCTEUR: It is a week now since you left, and time that you should know what has been going on during that time.

It was as good as a play! But you shall hear.
"When Madame la Comtesse came home, and I opened the door to her, I said nothing, but I thought to myself--what a row there will be presently.

And sure enough, she had hardly set foot in her rooms when we heard an awful scream.

It didn't scare me, because I knew all about it; but Isabel came tumbling out, and howled in French and Spanish mixed: 'Is it a fire?
Are there thieves in the house ?' It was enough to make you die of laughing.
"I was called upstairs and questioned by Anne--the countess had not the strength.