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“Then you think Mrs. Barham knew she was going fully a week before the party.”

“Yes, Monsieur.”

“And during that week she didn’t mention the party to you?”

“Not once. Nor to any one. Not to Madame Selden, nor to Madame Gardner, who was here once in my presence.”

“And she said nothing of it to Mr. Barham?”

“Not in my presence.”

“Then, now think very carefully, Claudine, you never heard her speak of it to any one—not over the telephone, even?”

“No”; but a telltale flush that reddened the maid’s cheeks aroused Nelson’s suspicions.

“Tell the truth,” he commanded, sternly. “You do know of some one”

“I will tell—it is perhaps my duty.”

“Yes, Claudine, tell what you know,” Barham assisted her.

“Well, then, the night of the Bal Masque—Madame Sayre came to see Madame, and they sent me from the room while they talked. I”

“Of course, Claudine, you listened,” Nelson said, in a matter-of-fact way. “Well, what did you hear?”

“It is not my habit to listen”

“Oh, no, of course not—we understand all that. Go on, now, and we’ll forgive your listening, if you tell exactly what you heard.”

“But I heard so little. Madame was very secret with her message, and Madame Sayre was equally careful. I heard almost nothing of their talk. But I did hear my Madame say to Madame Sayre that she was going to the Bal Masque and she did tell her where it was to be.”