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The next , however, before Mr Ricardo was out of his bed,

M Hanaud was announced He caaily into the room,

more elephantinely elfish than ever

"Send your valet away," he said And as soon as they were alone he

produced a newspaper, which he flourished in Mr Ricardo's face

and then dropped into his hands

Ricardo saw staring him in the face a full description of Celia

Harland, of her appearance and her dress, of everything except her

name, coupled with an intimation that a reward of four thousand

francs would be paid to any one who could give infor

to the discovery of her whereabouts to Mr Ricardo, the Hotel

Majestic, Aix-les-Bains!

Mr Ricardo sat up in his bed with a sense of outrage

"You have done this?" he asked

"Yes"

"Why have you done it?" Mr Ricardo cried

Hanaud advanced to the bed mysteriously on the tips of his toes

"I will tell you," he said, in his most confidential tones "Only

it must remain a secret between you and me I did it--because I

have a sense of humour"