The Chief Inspector nodded agreement. His profession had failed utterly to oust sentiment from his nature.
"At any rate," he said, "her life during the past nine months has been an open book to you?"
"We soon became friends. Since early in the spring I think I could tell you of every engagement Mademoiselle de Bercy fulfilled, and name almost every person she met, barring such trivialities as shopping fixtures and the rest."
"Ah; then you would know if she had an enemy?"
"I—think so. I have never heard of one. She had hosts of friends—all sympathetic."
"What was the precise object of your visit on Tuesday?"
"I took her a book on Sicily. We—we had practically decided on Taormina for our honeymoon. As I would be occupied until a late hour, she arranged to dine with Lady Knox-Florestan and go to the opera to hear Pagliacci. It was played after Philémon et Baucis, so the dinner was fixed for half-past eight."
"Would anyone except yourself and Lady Knox-Florestan be aware of that arrangement?"
"I think not."
"Why did she telephone to Lady Knox-Florestan at 7.30 and plead illness as an excuse for not coming to the dinner?"