“And he did not do so? He never spoke to you, nor you to him?”
“I never saw him, the occupant of that compartment, except on that one occasion. I kept a good deal in my compartment during the journey.”
“Alone? It must have been very dull for you,” said the Judge, pleasantly.
“I was not always alone,” said the Countess, hesitatingly, and with a slight flush. “I had friends in the car.”
“Oh—oh”—the exclamation was long-drawn and rather significant.
“Who were they? You may as well tell us, madame, we should certainly find out.”
“I have no wish to withhold the information,” she replied, now turning pale, possibly at the imputation conveyed. “Why should I?”
“And these friends were—?”
“Sir Charles Collingham and his brother. They came and sat with me occasionally; sometimes one, sometimes the other.”
“During the day?”