other inquirer should question you； do not forget that fact。 I arrived on Tuesday； the 14th … not Wednesday； the 15th。 You understand？〃
〃Perfectly； Monsieur le te。〃
〃In an affair where a lady is concerned； it is always necessary to be discreet。 I feel certain； Hippolyte； that you can be discreet。〃
〃I can be discreet； Monsieur。〃
〃And Marie？〃
〃Marie also。 I will answer for her。〃
〃That is well then；〃 murmured the te。
When Hippolyte had withdrawn； the te sipped his black coffee with a reflective air。 Occasionally he frowned； once he shook his head slightly； twice he nodded it … into the midst of these cogitations came Hippolyte once more。
〃A lady； Monsieur。〃
〃A lady？〃
The te was surprised。 Not that a visit from a lady was an unusual thing at the Villa Marina； but at this particular moment the te could not think who the lady was likely to be。
〃She is； I think； a lady not known to Monsieur；〃 murmured the valet helpfully。
The te was more and more intrigued。
〃Show her out here； Hippolyte；〃 he manded。
A moment later a marvellous vision in orange and black stepped out on the terrace； acpanied by a strong perfume of exotic blossoms。
〃Monsieur le te de la Roche？〃
〃At your service； Mademoiselle；〃 said the te； bowing。
〃My name is Mirelle。 You may have heard of me。〃
〃Ah； indeed； Mademoiselle； but who has not been enchanted by the dancing of Mademoiselle Mirelle？ Exq