Horton flushed angrily, but he realized that the man was within his rights. As Piquette cried excitedly, "Madame 'Orton was on'appy wit' 'er 'usband, Monsieur——"
"Madame Horton and I were the best of friends——" broke in Jim quietly.
"Evidently," said M. Matthieu dryly.
The changed manner of Monsieur Matthieu, his sudden air of intense interest in Jim himself, and the keen appraisal in his eyes did not augur well for the result of the investigation.
"You will please go on with the rest of the story, Monsieur," he added, and then with a glance at Piquette, "And you, Madame, will be pleased to remain silent until I question you. You say that you realized that the visitor coming up the stair was a man and that you and Madame withdrew in the darkness into the little hall-room and waited?"
"Yes, Monsieur."
"And you both saw the man come up the stairs to the studio door. What happened then?"
"He turned the knob and entered."
"Had you recognized him as your brother at that time?"
"I hadn't. I thought that my brother had joined his regiment."