Riche looked very grave, and without another word to his companion walked slowly away into the house, with his hands clasped behind his back.
Meeting one of the servants, Riche enquired if he could tell him where his master was to be found.
"Yes, sir, he has just gone into the library."
"Ah, here you are, Villebois. I have been looking for you in order to have a little serious talk before dinner."
"Certainly, my dear fellow, but why the word 'serious'?"
"Well, as a matter of fact," said Riche gravely, "there are several mysterious things happening here, and I thought that a talk about them between us alone might help to clear them up."
"For example?"
"In the first place something has happened to Renée."
"What, something happened to Renée?" ejaculated Villebois.
"No, no, there is no need for anxiety. I do not mean there is anything physically the matter. But Céleste has been confiding in me, and has told me that she found Renée weeping violently, and when Céleste asked the cause of such intense grief, it seems that Renée refused to give any explanation or even reply, and immediately locked herself in her room."