“Ah!” he exclaimed, “when the blonde Lady becomes my prisoner, I shall be master of the situation.”
And he rang the bell.
Monsieur Destange was already in the library. They had been working only a few minutes, when Clotilde entered, bade her father good morning, entered the adjoining parlor and sat down to write. From his place Sholmes could see her leaning over the table and from time to time absorbed in deep meditation. After a short time he picked up a book and said to Monsieur Destange:
“Here is a book that Mademoiselle Destange asked me to bring to her when I found it.”
He went into the little parlor, stood before Clotilde in such a manner that her father could not see her, and said:
“I am Monsieur Stickmann, your father’s new secretary.”
“Ah!” said Clotilde, without moving, “my father has changed his secretary? I didn’t know it.”
“Yes, mademoiselle, and I desire to speak with you.”
“Kindly take a seat, monsieur; I have finished.”