I rang the bell, and presently a maid opened the door.
"Is Monsieur de Beausire in?" I asked.
"No, sir, he is not," the maid answered civilly.
"Do you know where he may be found?"
"If you have a bill you may leave it,"—frostily and with sudden suspicion.
There was a smothered sound from behind me, and I flushed angrily.
"I am not a bill-collector."
"Oh; it's the second day of the month, you know. I thought perhaps you were."
"He has in his possession a hat which does not belong to him."
"Good gracious, he hasn't been stealing? I don't believe"—making as though to shut the door.