"After all, I'd rather tell you the exact truth, then you can't complain of me. You see, it's this way: Yesterday the little girl came and said to me, 'Madame Ceiron, I'm so upset and unhappy, and I'm bothered to death with questions, too, and then, this King who isn't a King ... I've a good mind to pack my trunk and go away.' So I said to her, if that's the case, go by all means—she had paid a quarter's advance—and when you are ready just come back—and that's all there is to it, Monsieur."
"You have no idea where she went, Mme. Ceiron?"
"Well, I heard her tell the cab-driver to take her to the Montparnasse Station."
"Do you know if she has any friends or relations in the country?"
"Ah!—that's a good idea, Monsieur, now I come to think of it, she always went on her holidays from the same station, probably to visit some of her family, but where they live I haven't the least idea."
Fandor had an inspiration.
"Maybe she has received letters which will tell us! Have you the key of her room?"
"Yes, I have the key; would you like to go up?"
"Of course!—I must make a search through her belongings."