Part 10 (1/2)

”What is the gentleman to you?” she was interrogated.

”Absolutely nothing,” contemptuously.

The minister inspected his rings.

”He has annoyed me at various times,” continued Nora; ”that is all. And his actions on Friday night warrant every suspicion I have entertained against him.”

The chief of police turned toward the bandaged chauffeur. ”You recognize the gentleman?”

”No, Monsieur, I never saw him before. It was an old man who engaged me.”

”Go on.”

”He said that Mademoiselle's old teacher was very ill and asked for a.s.sistance. I left Mademoiselle at the house and drove away. I was hired from the garage. That is the truth, Monsieur.”

Nora smiled disbelievingly. Doubtless he had been paid well for that lie.

”And you?” asked the chief of Nora's chauffeur.

”He is certainly the gentleman, Monsieur, who attempted to bribe me.”

”That is true,” said Courtlandt with utmost calmness.

”Mademoiselle, if Monsieur Courtlandt wished, he could accuse you of attempting to shoot him.”

”It was an accident. His sudden appearance in my apartment frightened me.

Besides, I believe a woman who lives comparatively alone has a legal and moral right to protect herself from such unwarrantable intrusions. I wish him no physical injury, but I am determined to be annoyed by him no longer.”

The minister's eyes sought Courtlandt's face obliquely. Strange young man, he thought. From the expression of his face he might have been a spectator rather than the person most vitally concerned in this little scene. And what a pair they made!

”Monsieur Courtlandt, you will give me your word of honor not to annoy Mademoiselle again?”

”I promise never to annoy her again.”

For the briefest moment the blazing blue eyes clashed with the calm brown ones. The latter were first to deviate from the line. It was not agreeable to look into a pair of eyes burning with the hate of one's self. Perhaps this conflagration was intensified by the placidity of his gaze. If only there had been some sign of anger, of contempt, anything but this incredible tranquillity against which she longed to cry out! She was too wrathful to notice the quickening throb of the veins on his temples.

”Mademoiselle, I find no case against Monsieur Courtlandt, unless you wish to appear against him for his forcible entrance to your apartment.” Nora shook her head. The chief of police stroked his mustache to hide the fleeting smile. A peculiar case, the like of which had never before come under his scrutiny! ”Circ.u.mstantial evidence, we know, points to him; but we have also an alibi which is incontestable. We must look elsewhere for your abductors. Think; have you not some enemy? Is there no one who might wish you worry and inconvenience? Are your a.s.sociates all loyal to you? Is there any jealousy?”

”No, none at all, Monsieur,” quickly and decidedly.

”In my opinion, then, the whole affair is a hoax, perpetrated to vex and annoy you. The old man who employed this chauffeur may not have been old.

I have looked upon all sides of the affair, and it begins to look like a practical joke, Mademoiselle.”

”Ah!” angrily. ”And am I to have no redress? Think of the misery I have gone through, the suspense! My voice is gone. I shall not be able to sing again for months. Is it your suggestion that I drop the investigation?”

”Yes, Mademoiselle, for it does not look as if we could get anywhere with it. If you insist, I will hold Monsieur Courtlandt; but I warn you the magistrate would not hesitate to dismiss the case instantly. Monsieur Courtlandt arrived in Ma.r.s.eilles Thursday morning; he reached Paris Friday morning. Since arriving in Paris he has fully accounted for his time. It is impossible that he could have arranged for the abduction. Still, if you say, I can hold him for entering your apartment.”

”That would be but a farce.” Nora rose. ”Monsieur, permit me to wish you good day. For my part, I shall pursue this matter to the end. I believe this gentleman guilty, and I shall do my best to prove it. I am a woman, and all alone. When a man has powerful friends, it is not difficult to build an alibi.”