"Had you not better send at once for this dancer—Philippa?" added the Man in Grey.
"Of course—of course——" stammered the commissary, much relieved.
III
Mademoiselle Philippa duly arrived, in the early afternoon, in her barouche drawn by two magnificent English horses. She appeared dressed in the latest Paris fashion and was greeted by M. Cognard with the gallantry due to her beauty and talent.
"You have sent for me, Monsieur le Commissaire?" she asked somewhat tartly, as soon as she had settled herself down in as becoming an attitude as the office chair would allow.
"Oh, Mademoiselle," said the commissary deprecatingly, "I did so with deep regret at having to trouble you."
"Well? And what is it?"
"I only desired to ask you, Mademoiselle, if you have seen the Comte de Romaine recently."
She laughed and shrugged her pretty shoulders.
"The young scamp!" she said lightly. "No, I haven't seen him for two days. Why do you ask?"