"I was not told," replied my companion.
Whoever it was, the betrayal had been complete. I had been allowed to think that my ruse of substituting the waiting-maid Marie for her mistress had been successful; and just when I had thought everything safe I had the mine sprung right under my feet. They had reckoned I should be all unconscious of such a stroke, and unfortunately they had reckoned correctly.
But who was the traitor? This was no plan that could be laid in an hour. It showed that from the first there had been some leakage by which my whole scheme was carried over to my enemies; and it appeared to me that it must lie between two people, the Baroness Gratz and the waiting-maid Marie.
"Who gave you your instructions?" I asked sharply.
"I will not tell you," was the equally sharp reply, and though pressed she held to her refusal.
"Have you seen the Count von Nauheim here to-night?"
"No, he is not here."
"How do you know?"
"I overheard surprise expressed at his absence."
"Can you give any clew as to where I shall find the Countess Minna?"