‘It was returned to the shop. Their cart called for it two or three days later.’
‘You don’t remember exactly when?’
The butler paused in thought.
‘I do not, monsieur. It was on the Wednesday or Thursday following, I believe, but I’m not positive.’
‘Thank you, François. There is one other thing I should be greatly obliged if you could do for me. Get me a sample of Madame’s writing.’
François shook his head.
‘I haven’t such a thing, monsieur,’ he replied, ‘but I can show you her desk, if you would care to look over it.’
They went into the boudoir, and François pointed out a small davenport finished with some delicate carving and with inlaid panels, a beautiful example of the cabinetmaker’s art. Lefarge seated himself before it and began to go through the papers it contained.
‘Somebody’s been before us,’ he said. ‘There’s precious little here.’
He produced a number of old receipted bills and circulars, with some unimportant letters and printed papers, but not a scrap in Madame’s handwriting could he discover.