There was a seance held in the salon last night." "No, monsieur," said Vauquier, shaking her head; "there was no seance last night." "But already you have said--" interrupted the Commissaire; and Hanaud held up his hand.
"Let her speak, my friend." "Yes, monsieur shall hear," said Vauquier.
It appeared that at five o'clock in the afternoon Mme.

Dauvray and Mlle.

Celie prepared to leave the house on foot.

It was their custom to walk down at this hour to the Villa des Fleurs, pass an hour or so there, dine in a restaurant, and return to the Rooms to spend the evening.

On this occasion, however, Mme.