e？〃
〃Exactly that； sir。〃
〃It is very odd；〃 said Van Aldin。 〃Very odd； indeed； unless the woman had been impertinent or something of that kind。〃
〃In that case；〃 objected Knighton； 〃surely Mrs Kettering would have paid her down a sum of money； and told her to go back to England。 She would hardly have sent her to the Ritz。〃
〃No；〃 muttered the millionaire； 〃that's true。〃
He was about to say something further； but checked himself。 He was fond of Knighton and liked and trusted him； but he could hardly discuss his daughter's private affairs with his secretary。 He had already felt hurt by Ruth's lack of frankness； and this chance revelation which had e to him did nothing to allay his misgivings。
Why had Ruth got rid of her maid in Paris？ What possible object or motive could she have had in so doing？
He reflected for a moment or two on the curious bination of chance。 How should it have occurred to Ruth； except as the wildest coincidence； that the first person that the maid should run across in Paris should be her father's secretary？ Ah； but that was the way things happened。 That was the way things got found out。
He winced at the last phrase； it had arisen with plete naturalness to his mind。 Was there then 'something to be found out'？ He hated to put this question to himself； he had no doubt of the answer。 The answer was … he was sure of it … Armand de la Roche。
It was bitter to Van Aldin that a daughter of his should be gu