actly as he had left them； but not quite。 It was evident that a very thorough search had been made。
He went over to the bureau and pressed the hidden spring。 The drawer flew open； but the hair was no longer where he had placed it。 He nodded his head several times。
〃They are excellent； our French police；〃 he murmured to himself … 〃excellent。 Nothing escapes them。〃
Chapter 20
KATHERINE MAKES A FRIEND
On the following morning Katherine and Lenox were sitting on the terrace of the Villa Marguerite。 Something in the nature of a friendship was springing up between them； despite the difference in age。 But for Lenox； Katherine would have found life at the Villa Marguerite quite intolerable。 The Kettering case was the topic of the moment。 Lady Tamplin frankly exploited her guest's connection with the affair for all it was worth。
The most persistent rebuffs that Katherine could administer quite failed to pierce Lady Tamplin's self…esteem。 Lenox adopted a detached attitude； seemingly amused at her mother's manoeuvres； and yet with a sympathetic understanding of Katherine's feelings。
The situation was not helped by Chubby； whose naive delight was unquenchable； and who introduced Katherine to all and sundry as：
〃This is Miss Grey。 You know that Blue Train business？ She was in it up to the ears！ Had a long talk with Ruth Kettering a few hours before the murder！ Bit of luck for her； eh？〃
A few remarks of this kind had provoked K