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76 "Yes, sir. And of the other ladies also when they required my services." She enunciated clearly but carefully, as if speaking in a language which was not her native one; and there was a slight staccato accent which she seemingly could not eliminate.

"You are French?"

She shook her head.

"Swiss, sir. I come from Zurich."

"Do you recall the day when Mrs. Lorne pricked her finger with her embroidery needle?"

"Perfectly, sir, but from the day after. I knew nothing of it until one morning when Madame awoke with her hand all inflamed and remembered herself about the accident with the embroidery needle on the previous day."

"She did not call the doctor immediately?" "No, sir; not for three days, although Mees Meade implored her to do so. Mees Meade and I, we poulticed the hand and bandaged it; but it grew worse, until finally Madame consented to send for the doctor. After the nurses came I was not allowed in the room until just at the last, and then Madame was delirious."

Gerda had kept her curious light eyes steadily fixed on the detective's face, and although she replied readily, almost mechanically, to his questioning, the impression of hushed anticipation lingered.

"You know who I am, of course?"

Gerda bowed.

"The officer detective from Police Headquarters, is it not so? Otherwise I should not be talking of Madame."

"You understand that you must be perfectly frank with me?"