Its proprietor, summoned from a neighbouring house, recollected, with considerable difficulty and after consultation of a penny pocket-book, that he had certainly let a top-floor room to a young Frenchwoman about a year ago, but he had never caught her name properly, and simply had her noted down as Mamselle.

She had paid her rent regularly, and had remained in the house five weeks--that was all he knew about her.

Had he ever seen her since?
Not that he knew of--in fact, he shouldn't know her if he saw her--they were all pretty much alike, these young Frenchwomen.

Did he know where she came from to his house--where she went from his house?
Not he! he knew no more than what he had just told.
"What now ?" asked Allerdyke as the three searchers paced dejectedly up the street.

"This is doing no good--it's worse than the Hull affair.
However, there's one thing suggests itself to me.