THE EYES OF INNOCENCE [Illustration: There was a faint sound behind her. (Page 159)] THE EYES OF INNOCENCE BY MAURICE LEBLANC Author of “Arsène Lupin,” “The Golden Triangle,” “The Woman of Mystery,” “The Secret of Sarek,” etc. TRANSLATED BY ALEXANDER TEIXEIRA DE MATTOS NEW YORK THE MACAULAY COMPANY 1920 Copyright, 1920, by THE MACAULAY COMPANY PRINTED IN THE U. S. A. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I GILBERTE 11 II THE SOLITARY 24 III THE UNKNOWN 39 IV AN EVENING AT MME. DE LA VAUDRAYE’S 52 V THE SUITORS 68 VI A NEW FRIEND 85 VII GILBERTE’S TWO FRIENDS 103 VIII THE APPOINTMENT 119 IX AFFIANCED 137 X THE DESERTED HOUSE 150 XI GILBERTE’S NAME 165 THE EYES OF INNOCENCE I GILBERTE “Would you please give your name, madam?” asked the waiter. And he handed the elder of the two travellers a sheet of paper headed, “_Villa-pension des Deux Mondes, Dieppe_.” “Write down the name, Gilberte,” she said. “I am so tired.” Gilberte took the pen and wrote: “Mme. Armand and daughter, from London, bound for.... Now that I think of it, where are we going next, mother?” “I don’t know yet.” “Oh, that doesn’t matter!” said the waiter. And he took the paper and left the room. “Yes, Mr. Waiter,” cried the young girl, with a laugh. “Mme. Armand and her daughter, arriving from England, from Germany, from Russia, coming to France and delighted, especially Mlle. Armand, who does not yet know her own country!” “Will you find happiness here?” murmured her mother, sadly, drawing her daughter to her. “There is none left for me, since your poor father is dead; but you, my pet, my dear, loving Gilberte, what has the future in store for you?” “Why, joys, mother darling, nothing but the greatest joys: haven’t I you with me?” They exchanged a long embrace. Then Mme. Armand said: