Taking another sheet of paper, and wetting my right thumb with ink, I lightly grasped the paper between my thumb and forefinger, leaving upon it a slight mark. Then, taking a magnifying-glass from the table, I observed the two marks with its aid. The veinings on them were totally different. I had not soiled the half-written letter. A spy had been in my room. Could it be that trouble was in store for me, and that I had already fallen under the ban of suspicion?
Madame was away a week. When she returned, I was struck by the anxious expression of her face and still more by the evident effort with which she strove to be her old bright self.
“Are you not well?” I asked her, feeling considerable solicitude on her behalf.
“Quite well, Dora. Only a little tired after traveling. Tell me, has anything notable occurred during my absence?”
“There have been several callers.”
“Were the Prince and Princess Michaelow here?”
“Yes. They came on Thursday, and took Feo and myself for a drive. We spent a very pleasant afternoon. Feo is spending the day with them again.”
“And Count Karenieff. Has he been here?”
“No.”
“Ah! I thought so! I must be on my guard against him. Is that all you have to tell me?”