“Yes. And they’ve always disliked one another. Marescal, who is strongly supported by the Minister himself, is trying to supplant my step-father, and my step-father is trying to get rid of him.”
“And Marescal is in love with you?”
“He asked my hand in marriage. I rejected him, and my step-father forbade him the house. He hates us and he has sworn to avenge himself.”
“To pass from one to another, what is the name of the man of the Villa Faradoni?” Ralph asked.
“Jodot.”
“What’s his profession?”
“I don’t know. He used to come to the house occasionally to see my step-father.”
“And the third?”
“William Ancivel. He used to come to the house too. He is on the stock exchange and engaged in other business.”
“More or less doubtful?”