“I am sorry, but I cannot do this.  Madame Duclos has left.”

“Left?  Gone out, you mean?”

“No, left the hotel.  She’s been gone about half an hour.  The young lady who came with her has gone out too, but we expect her back.”

“You do.  And what took the older woman away?  What excuse did she give, and where has she gone?”

“I cannot tell you where she has gone.  She left after receiving a telephone message from some one in town.  Came down to the desk looking extremely distressed, said that she had had bad news and must go at once.  I made out her bill and, at her request, that of the young lady, whom she said would be called for by a friend on her return to the hotel.  These bills she paid; after that she left the hotel on foot, carrying her own bag.  The young lady has not returned——­”

“Enough.  The young lady is dead, killed by chance here at the museum.  A plain-clothes man will be with you shortly from Headquarters.  Meanwhile keep your eyes and ears open.  If a message comes for either Madame Duclos or Miss Willetts, notify me here; and if anyone calls, detain the party at all hazards.  That’s all; no time to talk.”

And now Gryce entered the room.  He was accompanied by an inspector.  This was a welcome addition to their force.  Coroner Price greeted him with cordiality: 

“You’ve come in good time, Inspector.  The death of this young girl struck down by an arrow shot by an unknown hand from the opposite side of the building bids fair to make a greater call on your resources than on mine.  The woman who appears to have acted as companion to Miss Willetts has fled the hotel where they both took rooms immediately upon leaving the steamer.  Either she has heard of the accident which has occurred here—­and if so, how?—­or she’s but carrying out some deep-laid plan which it is highly important for us to know.  It looks now like a premeditated crime.”

“With this Englishman involved?”

“I doubt that; I seriously doubt that—­don’t you, Gryce?  A more subtle head than his planned this strange crime.”

“Yes; there can be little doubt about that.  Shall I set the boys to work, Inspector?  This Frenchwoman must be found.”

“At once—­a general alarm.  You can get a description of her from the clerk at the Universal.  She must not be allowed to leave town.”

Mr. Gryce sat down before the telephone.  Coroner Price proceeded to acquaint the Inspector with such details of the affair as were now known.  The Curator moved restlessly about.  Gloom had settled upon the museum.  On only one face was there a smile to be seen, but that was a heavenly one, irradiating the countenance of her who had passed from the lesser to the larger world with the joy of earth still warm in her innocent heart.

BOOK II

MR. X

VIII