Part 33 (1/2)
”Read it, M. de Lourtier.”
M. de Lourtier-Vaneau s.n.a.t.c.hed the sheet from Renine's hands and cast a glance at the signature. His first movement was one of surprise, as though he had expected something different. Then he gave a long, loud laugh of something like joy and relief.
”Why do you laugh, M. de Lourtier? You seem pleased.”
”Pleased, no. But this letter is signed by my wife.”
”And you were afraid of finding something else?”
”Oh no! But since it's my wife....”
He did not finish his sentence and said to Renine:
”Come this way.”
He led him through a pa.s.sage to a little drawing-room where a fair-haired lady, with a happy and tender expression on her comely face, was sitting in the midst of three children and helping them with their lessons.
She rose. M. de Lourtier briefly presented his visitor and asked his wife:
”Suzanne, is this express message from you?”
”To Mlle. Herminie, Boulevard Haussmann? Yes,” she said, ”I sent it. As you know, our parlour-maid's leaving and I'm looking out for a new one.”
Renine interrupted her:
”Excuse me, madame. Just one question: where did you get the woman's address?”
She flushed. Her husband insisted:
”Tell us, Suzanne. Who gave you the address?”
”I was rung up.”
”By whom?”
She hesitated and then said:
”Your old nurse.”
”Felicienne?”
”Yes.”
M. de Lourtier cut short the conversation and, without permitting Renine to ask any more questions, took him back to the study:
”You see, monsieur, that pneumatic letter came from a quite natural source.
Felicienne, my old nurse, who lives not far from Paris on an allowance which I make her, read your advertis.e.m.e.nt and told Madame de Lourtier of it. For, after all,” he added laughing, ”I don't suppose that you suspect my wife of being the lady with the hatchet.”
”No.”
”Then the incident is closed ... at least on my side. I have done what I could, I have listened to your arguments and I am very sorry that I can be of no more use to you....”