Part 9 (1/2)

”Mademoiselle Wilhelmine, yes.”

Fandor nearly added:

”A daughter to get married.”

It seemed clear to him, that in spite of her timid and reserved airs, this red-haired beauty seemed to like the idea of playing a part in the drama.

”Mademoiselle,” questioned Fandor, ”it has been reported that yesterday afternoon you had occasion to meet Captain Brocq, some hours before his sad end?”

The young woman stared fixedly at the journalist, as if to read his thoughts, as if to divine whether or not he knew that not only had she met Captain Brocq, but had spent some time with him alone.

Fandor did know it, but he remained impenetrable.

Bobinette, very much mistress of herself, said quite simply:

”It is a fact Monsieur, that I did see Captain Brocq yesterday. I had to give him a message.”

”You will think me very inquisitive,” continued Fandor, who pretended not to look at the young woman, in order to put her more at her ease, but who, in reality, did not lose a single change of expression on her pretty face, for he could watch its reflection in a mirror. ”You will think me very inquisitive, but could you tell me the nature of ...

this communication?”

Bobinette replied, quite naturally:

”To be sure I can, Monsieur. Baron de Naarboveck is giving an entertainment here shortly, and the captain was going to take part in it. As he was very much of an artist we counted on his doing some menus in colour for us: I simply went to see him with a message from Mademoiselle Wilhelmine.”...

The conversation stopped short.

Fandor had turned around quickly. Behind him--doubtless he had been there for some moments--a man was standing. Fandor had not heard him enter the room. He was a man of a certain age. His moustache was quite white: he wore the whiskers and imperial of 1850.

Fandor recognised Baron Naarboveck. He was going to apologise for not having noticed his entrance, but de Naarboveck smiled at the journalist with apparent cordiality.

”Pardon me, Monsieur Fandor, for not having received you myself, but I had a guest: moreover, Mademoiselle Berthe must have told you what my views are regarding interviews.”...

Fandor made a slight gesture. The baron continued:

”Oh, they are definite, unalterable! But that will not prevent you from taking a cup of coffee with us, I feel sure. I have the highest esteem for Monsieur Dupont, and the terms in which he has recommended you to me are such that, from now on, I have not the slightest hesitation in treating you as one of ourselves, as a friend.”

Monsieur Naarboveck put his hand familiarly on the young journalist's shoulder, and led him into the next room.

It was a library: a very lofty room. It was soberly and elegantly furnished. Before a great chimney-piece of wood, two young people were standing, and were chatting very much at their ease.

They paused when Fandor entered.

Close behind followed Mademoiselle Berthe.

Fandor bowed to the two young people.

Naarboveck made the introductions:

”Monsieur Jerome Fandor--Mademoiselle de Naarboveck, my daughter--Monsieur de Loubersac, lieutenant of cuira.s.siers.”