CHAPTER X.
NEWS FROM GENEVA The next morning, however, before Mr.Ricardo was out of his bed, M.
Hanaud was announced.

He came stepping gaily into the room, more elephantinely elfish than ever.
"Send your valet away," he said.

And as soon as they were alone he produced a newspaper, which he flourished in Mr.Ricardo's face and then dropped into his hands.
Ricardo saw staring him in the face a full description of Celia Harland, of her appearance and her dress, of everything except her name, coupled with an intimation that a reward of four thousand francs would be paid to any one who could give information leading to the discovery of her whereabouts to Mr.Ricardo, the Hotel Majestic, Aix-les-Bains! Mr.Ricardo sat up in his bed with a sense of outrage.
"You have done this ?" he asked.
"Yes." "Why have you done it ?" Mr.Ricardo cried.
Hanaud advanced to the bed mysteriously on the tips of his toes.
"I will tell you," he said, in his most confidential tones.

"Only it must remain a secret between you and me.

I did it--because I have a sense of humour." "I hate publicity," said Mr.Ricardo acidly.
"On the other hand you have four thousand francs," protested the detective.