“This man,” she explained, “was the man who fleeced the unfortunate gentleman here in my house. I am not wishing to shield myself for a single moment--I desire only to tell the truth. M’sieur Thorne, when they last met here, accused him of cheating at baccarat, high words ensued, and the young man drew a revolver and fired, striking Laumont in the shoulder. Whereupon the last-named swore to be avenged. I knew well that a vow of vengeance taken by such a desperate man as Laumont was something more than mere idle words, and when he went to the Riviera, as he did each year in search of inexperienced youths whom he could fleece, I shortly afterwards followed. He stayed first at the Hôtel de Paris at Monte Carlo, but meeting young Thorne accidentally one afternoon he discovered that the latter was living at the Grand at Nice, and that same night he transferred his quarters there. Now Thorne had an intimate friend in Nice--Mr. Gerald Keppel--and it seemed as though Laumont desired to make the latter’s acquaintance with the ulterior motive of practising his sharper’s tricks upon him. Be that how it may, I, in order to watch the progress of events, moved to the same hotel at Nice. I knew that Laumont was bent on vengeance, and felt certain that some terrible dénouement was imminent.” She paused and glanced around at us. Then, lowering her eyes, she went on: “I am an adventuress, it is true, but I have still a woman’s heart. I was determined, if possible, to prevent Laumont from wreaking vengeance upon the poor boy. It was for that reason I followed him to Nice and took up my abode there. On the afternoon of the tragedy I was in the Rooms at Monte Carlo and there saw him playing and winning, while just as he was leaving with Miss Rosselli, another lady, and young Mr. Keppel, his pockets bulging with his gains, I saw Laumont watching him. I knew by the evil look he cast in his direction that the spirit of murder was in his heart. That evening I dined at Ciro’s with M’sieur Cameron, and afterwards left him in order to watch the movements of Laumont and the young American. The latter, after a short conversation with M’sieur Cameron in the atrium of the Casino, descended the lift to the station and took train to Nice. I travelled by the same train, but in the crowd at Nice station on alighting lost sight of him. He must have taken a cab immediately to the hotel, and, furthermore, Laumont must also have followed him without knowing of my presence. I met some friends at the station, but on arrival at the hotel twenty minutes later I went straight up to my room. On the way I had to pass the door of Miss Rosselli’s sitting-room, and just as I was approaching, my feet falling softly on the thick carpet of the corridor, the door opened noiselessly and a man, after looking forth stealthily, emerged and stole along to the room he occupied. That man was Jean Laumont.” “You saw him!” cried Ernest. “You actually saw him coming from the room?”