he murderer of Madame Kettering？ Pah！ But how absurd！〃
He spoke more languidly than indignantly； knowing that he would thus provoke her further。
〃But yes；〃 she insisted； 〃it is as I tell you。〃
〃It amuses people to talk；〃 murmured the te indifferently。 〃It would be beneath me to take such wild accusations seriously。〃
〃You do not understand。〃 Mirelle bent forward； her dark eyes flashing。 〃It is not the idle talk of those in the streets。 It is the police。〃
〃The police … ah？〃
The te sat up； alert once more。
Mirelle nodded her head vigorously several times。
〃Yes； yes。 You prehend me … I have friends everywhere。 The Prefect himself …〃
She left the sentence unfinished； with an eloquent shrug of the shoulders。
〃Who is not indiscreet where a beautiful woman is concerned？〃 murmured the Count politely。
〃The police believe that you killed Mrs Kettering。 But they are wrong。〃
〃Certainly they are wrong；〃 agreed the te easily。
〃You say that； but you do not know the truth。 I do。〃
The te looked at her curiously。
〃You know who killed Madame Kettering？ Is that what you would say； Mademoiselle？〃
Mirelle nodded vehemently。
〃Yes。〃
〃Who was it？〃 asked the te sharply。
〃Her husband。〃 She bent nearer to the te； speaking in a low voice that vibrated with anger and excitement。 〃It was her husband who killed her。〃
The te leant back in his chair。 His face was a mask。