"Monsieur gave me no instructions," smoothly. "True; but you should have aroused me anyhow, you rascal!" irascibly. "Now, hurry up, and get me out of this as quick as possible!" His toilet completed, he swallowed a cup of coffee, munched a few morsels of a roll, and was off--appetite failing in his eagerness to get at Van Zandt. On his way to the hotel he dropped in at the club. No information was found there. Neither Van Zandt nor Remond had been in the rooms since yesterday. He hastened on to the journalist's modest hotel, only to be confronted with the news that Eliot had not yet returned. Since he had dined, at eight o'clock last evening, he had not been seen by any one in the house. His room had remained unoccupied since yesterday. Carmontelle sickened and shuddered at thought of the blood before madame's door last night. "It is plain that Van Zandt was the one who was wounded, since Remond was seen at his hotel last night after the accident. Great heavens! what mystery is here? Is he dead, the brave lad? and have they hidden his body to conceal the crime? I must find out the truth and avenge his death, poor boy!" He flung himself again into his carriage and was driven to that beautiful fiend's--to the home of the woman who had so heartlessly plotted the ruin of the helpless, innocent girl. She was at home, looking cool, fair, and graceful in a _recherché_ morning-robe garnished with yards on yards of creamy laces and lavender ribbons. She was twirling some cards in her jeweled fingers. "Ah, monsieur, I have cards to the reception at Trevor's next week. Are you going? Perhaps you have come to say that you will attend me there?" The coquettish smile faded at the scowl he turned upon her face. "Madame, where is Van Zandt?" he blurted out, brusquely. It was no wonder she had been such a star upon the dramatic stage. Her puzzled air, the wondering glance of her bright, dark eyes, were perfect. "Monsieur--Van Zandt!" she repeated, in gentle wonder. "How should I know? I assure you he has not been here since last night." "Yes, I know," impatiently. "But what happened to him last night? Did Remond kill him here, at your door, where I found the pool of blood when I came back to look for him?" Her eyes flashed. "Ah, then it was you, monsieur, that carried off poor Remond's bride?" with a low laugh of amusement. "Answer my question, if you please, Madame Lorraine," sternly. "Tell me--did Remond kill our young Yankee friend last night?" Madame threw back her handsome head, and laughed heartlessly. "_Ma foi_, how can I tell? When I saw the two fools were fighting desperately, I ran in, locked my door, and went to bed. _Mon Dieu_, I did not want to be a witness in a murder trial!" "And you did not peep out of the window?" cynically. "_Ma foi_, no! I was too frightened. I did not want to see or hear! I put my head under the bed-clothes, and went to sleep." "Heartless woman! After you had caused all the mischief!" indignantly.