"You knew Mme. Dauvray?" Hanaud asked.
"Yes, monsieur—oh, the poor woman! And he flung up his hands.
"And you knew her young companion?"
"Oh yes, monsieur. They generally had their meals here. See, at that little table over there! I kept it for them. But monsieur knows well"—and the waiter looked towards Harry Wethermill—"for monsieur was often with them."
"Yes," said Hanaud. "Did Mme. Dauvray dine at that little table last night?"
"No, monsieur. She was not here last night."
"Nor Mlle. Celie?"
"No, monsieur! I do not think they were in the Villa des Fleurs at all."
"We know they were not," exclaimed Ricardo. "Wethermill and I were in the rooms and we did not see them."
"But perhaps you left early," objected Hanaud.