“Extracts of reports concerning Marie Leullier, alias Yvonne Ferad, are herewith appended: 

“Criminal Investigation Department, New Scotland Yard, London—­to the Prefecture of Police, Paris.

“Mademoiselle Yvonne Ferad rented a furnished house at Hove, near Brighton, in June, 1918.  Afterwards moved to Worthing and to Exeter, and later took a house in the Cromwell Road, London, in 1919.  She was accompanied by an Italian manservant named Cataldi.  Her conduct was suspicious, though she was undoubtedly possessed of considerable means.  She was often seen at the best restaurants with various male acquaintances, more especially with a man named Kenworthy.  Her association with this person, and with another man named Percy Stendall, was curious, as both men were habitual criminals and had served several terms of penal servitude each.  Certain suspicions were aroused, and observation was kept, but nothing tangible was discovered.  It is agreed, however, that some mystery surrounds this woman in question.  She left London quite suddenly, but left no debts behind.”

“Information from the Borough Police Office, Worthing, to the Prefecture of Police, Department of Herault.

“Mademoiselle Yvonne Ferad has been identified by the photograph sent as having lived in Worthing in December, 1918.  She rented a small furnished house facing the sea, and was accompanied by an Italian manservant and a French maid.  Her movements were distinctly mysterious.  A serious fracas occurred at the house on the evening of December 18th, 1918.  A middle-aged gentleman, whose name is unknown, called there about seven o’clock and a violent quarrel ensued between the lady and her visitor, the latter being very seriously assaulted by the Italian.  The constable on duty was called in, but the visitor refused to prosecute, and after having his injuries attended to by a doctor left for London.  Three days later Mademoiselle disappeared from Worthing.  It is believed by the Chief Constable that the woman is of the criminal class.”

Then Charles Ogier, inspector of the detective police of Monaco, smiled, laid down his cigar, and took up another and even more interesting document.

FIFTH CHAPTER

ON THE HOG’S BACK

Three days later.  On a cold afternoon just as the wintry light was fading a tall, dark, middle-aged, rather handsome man with black hair and moustache, and wearing a well-cut, dark-grey overcoat and green velour hat, alighted from the train at the wayside station of Wanborough, in Surrey, and inquired of the porter the way to Shapley Manor.

“Shapley, sir?  Why, take the road there yonder up the hill till you get to the main road which runs along the Hog’s Back from Guildford to Farnborough.  When you get on the main road, turn sharp to the left past the old toll-gate, and you’ll find the Manor on the left in among a big clump of trees.”