"He is puzzled himself and can't understand. Everyone's up in the air. They think it is a discharged maid who did it for spite."
"The next time Mrs. Traynor receives a sudden message about her baby it will not be a hoax."
The valet looked up in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
Keralio did not answer the question immediately, but sat nervously twisting his fingers, a moody sullen look in his pale saturnine face. At last, breaking the heavy silence, he said:
"That woman insulted me. You saw it. You were there——"
The valet nodded.
"You mean she put you out—ah, oui, she has a diable of a temper when angry."
Keralio nodded.
"Yes—that I can never forgive. She shall ask my pardon on her knees. I will break her spirit, humiliate her pride. I have been taxing my brain how to do it. At last I have hit on a plan—one that cannot fail and you shall help me."