Try how I would, I could discover absolutely no motive whatever in it all. It was certain that this man, so cleverly disguised that I could not distinguish his real height, much less his form or features, had come there, watched for a favorable opportunity to speak with me, and then had warned me to sever my friendship with the millionaire. Leaning there, gazing blankly down upon the crowd screaming with laughter at the Parisian quadrilles and antics of clown and columbine, I coolly analyzed my own feelings towards the blunt, plain-spoken old gentleman with the melancholy eyes. I found--as I had believed all along--that I admired him for his honest good-nature, his utter lack of anything approaching “side,” his strenuous efforts to assist in good works, and his regard for appearances only for his son’s sake. But I did not love him. No. I had loved one man. I could never love another--never in all my life. Yet perhaps he was there disguised beneath a mask and dress of parti-colored satin! Perhaps he was down there among the dancers, escorting that woman who had usurped my place. The thought held me in wonder. Suddenly I was brought back to a due sense of my surroundings by the opening of the door of the box and the entry of one of the theatre-attendants, who, addressing me in French, said: “I beg m’zelle’s pardon, but the Direction would esteem it a favor if m’zelle would step down to the bureau at once.” “What do they want with me?” I inquired quickly with considerable surprise. “Of that I have no knowledge, m’zelle. I was merely told to ask you to go there without delay.” Therefore, in wonder, I rose and followed the man downstairs and through the crowd of revellers to the private office of the Direction, close to the main entrance of the Casino. In the room I found the Director, an elderly man with short, stiff gray hair, sitting at a table, while near him stood two men dressed as pierrots, with their masks removed. When the door was closed, the Director, courteously offering me a seat, apologized for disturbing me, but explained that he had done so at the request of his two companions. “I may as well at once explain,” said the elder of the two in French, “that we desire some information which you can furnish.” “Of what nature?” I inquired with considerable surprise. “In the theatre, an hour ago, you were escorted by a masker wearing a dress representing an owl. You danced with him, but were afterwards lost in the crowd. Search was made through all the rooms for you, but you could not be found. Where have you been?” “I have been sitting in the box in conversation with the stranger.” “All the time?” “Yes, he took precautions against being seen.” “Who was he?” “I have no idea,” I responded, still puzzled at the man’s demand.