"'I am on the staff of the Evening Moon,' he said to the policeman. 'Is there anything new concerning M. Felix?'
"'Nothing,' replied the policeman, quite civilly, and passed on.
"Our reporter remained outside the house. Patient and persevering, he hoped to pick up some item of interest which he might be able to weave into a paragraph.
"Suddenly the street door was opened from within, and Mrs. Middlemore appeared. Her face was flushed, and in her eyes was a wandering look as she turned them this way and that. The moment our reporter observed these symptoms of distress he came to the conclusion that there was some interesting item of which he could avail himself. He stepped up to Mrs. Middlemore.
"'What is the matter?' he asked.
"'He's gone!' gasped Mrs. Middlemore, wringing her hands. 'He's vanished!'
"'Who has gone? Who has vanished?' inquired our reporter.
"'M. Felix,' said Mrs. Middlemore, in a faint tone.
"'My good creature,' said our reporter, 'you must be dreaming.'
"'I'm not dreaming,' said Mrs. Middlemore. 'He's vanished. If you don't believe me, go up and look for yourself. Where are the police. Oh, where are the police?'