Part 32 (2/2)
Jeanne did not answer for a moment.
”Of course there is some mistake,” she said.
”I thought so,” said Legrand. ”It did not trouble me much last night, but this morning--mademoiselle, I was so surprised that I called on Monsieur Bruslart this morning. He has left Paris.”
”Gone!”
”Leaving no word behind him, mademoiselle.”
”It is more likely that he has been arrested,” said Jeanne.
”I have inquired. He has not been arrested, but he would have been had he remained.”
”Are you suggesting that he has run away without a thought for me?”
”Mademoiselle, the most prominent members of my profession have little knowledge of men's thoughts. Of the working of Monsieur Bruslart's mind I know nothing; I only know that he has left Paris without sending money.”
”And the consequence to me?” asked Jeanne.
”That is what pains me,” Legrand answered. ”This house is secure only on certain conditions, a peculiar arrangement in which I have personally little influence. Some of my guests are ungracious enough to disbelieve this. When the fees remain unpaid I have no choice in the matter. My guest is removed elsewhere.”
Jeanne showed not a trace of nervousness or alarm. The whirl of thoughts and doubts in her brain caused the lines in her face to harden a little, but there was no quiver in her eyes, no tremble in her voice.
”Is the money paid in advance?” she asked.
”Always, mademoiselle; that is one of the conditions.”
”Then it is for the coming week that the money is due?”
”That is so.”
”I do not know, Dr. Legrand, whether you are fully aware of Monsieur Bruslart's position and my own?”
”I think so, mademoiselle. You were, I believe, to be man and wife.”
His suggestion that such a thing was now impossible was not lost upon Jeanne and was a little startling. Did he believe that Lucien Bruslart was a scoundrel?
”Do you know that the fees paid to you by Lucien Bruslart are paid out of my money?”
”Officially I only know that they are paid by a certain person, and I ask no questions. Having some knowledge of Monsieur Bruslart's position, I have imagined that the necessary money was supplied by you.”
”I have only to authorize the banker who has funds of mine in hand to pay the amount.”
”Mademoiselle, I naturally thought of that. All that was necessary was a form for your signature, so I called upon the banker. I regret to tell you that he has no longer any funds of yours in hand. The whole amount has been withdrawn.”
”By whom?”
Legrand shrugged his shoulders.
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