By a hundred instances she proclaimed herself a dupe.

She threw down a challenge to every criminal to come and rob her.

For seven years Helene Vauquier stands at her elbow and protects her from serious trouble.

Suddenly there is added to her--your young friend, and she is robbed and murdered.

And, follow this, M.Wethermill, our thieves are, I think, more brutal to their victims than is the case with you." Wethermill shut his eyes in a spasm of pain and the pallor of his face increased.
"Suppose that Celia were one of the victims ?" he cried in a stifled voice.
Hanaud glanced at him with a look of commiseration.
"That perhaps we shall see," he said.