“Yes, yes,” cried the General, angrily cutting short all references to the weather and the number of English visitors in Paris.  “But be so good as to let Madame la Comtesse know that I have called.”

“Ah, to be sure!  I came to tell Monsieur le General that madame will hardly be able to see him.  She is indisposed, I believe.  At any rate, she does not receive to-day.”

“As to that, we shall see.  I will take no answer except direct from her.  Take or send up my card without further delay.  I insist!  Do you hear?” said the General, so fiercely that the manager turned tail and fled up-stairs.

Perhaps he yielded his ground the more readily that he saw over the General’s shoulder the figure of Galipaud the detective looming in the archway.  It had been arranged that, as it was not advisable to have the inspector hanging about the courtyard of the hotel, the clerk or the manager should keep watch over the Countess and detain any visitors who might call upon her.  Galipaud had taken post at a wine-shop over the way, and was to be summoned whenever his presence was thought necessary.

There he was now, standing just behind the General, and for the present unseen by him.

But then a telegraph messenger came in and up to the desk.  He held the usual blue envelope in his hand, and called out the name on the address: 

“Castagneto.  Contessa Castagneto.”

At sound of which the General turned sharply, to find Galipaud advancing and stretching out his hand to take the message.

“Pardon me,” cried Sir Charles, promptly interposing and understanding the situation at a glance.  “I am just going up to see that lady.  Give me the telegram.”

Galipaud would have disputed the point, when the General, who had already recognized him, said quietly: 

“No, no, Inspector, you have no earthly right to it.  I guess why you are here, but you are not entitled to interfere with private correspondence.  Stand back;” and seeing the detective hesitate, he added peremptorily: 

“Enough of this.  I order you to get out of the way.  And be quick about it!”

The manager now returned, and admitted that Madame la Comtesse would receive her visitor.  A few seconds more, and the General was admitted into her presence.

“How truly kind of you to call!” she said at once, coming up to him with both hands outstretched and frank gladness in her eyes.

Yes, she was very attractive in her plain, dark travelling dress draping her tall, graceful figure; her beautiful, pale face was enhanced by the rich tones of her dark brown, wavy hair, while just a narrow band of white muslin at her wrists and neck set off the dazzling clearness of her skin.

“Of course I came.  I thought you might want me, or might like to know the latest news,” he answered, as he held her hands in his for a few seconds longer than was perhaps absolutely necessary.