ind。 A chance remark of Knighton's； uttered by the secretary in all unconsciousness； had given rise to it。 It now festered unseen； gradually reaching further and further forward into Van Aldin's consciousness； until at last； in spite of himself he had to yield to its insistence。
He listened to what Knighton was saying with his usual air of keen attention； but in reality not one word of it perated his mind。 He nodded automatically； however； and the secretary turned to some other paper。
As he was sorting them out； his employer spoke：
〃Do you mind telling me that over again； Knighton？〃
For a moment Knighton was at a loss。
〃You mean about this； sir？〃 He held up a closely written pany report。
〃No； no；〃 said Van Aldin； 〃what you told me about seeing Ruth's maid in Paris last night。 I can't make it out。 You must have been mistaken。〃
〃I can't have been mistaken； sir； I actually spoke to her。〃
〃Well； tell me the whole thing again。〃
Knighton plied。
〃I had fixed up the deal with Barthermers；〃 he explained； 〃and had gone back to the Ritz to pick up my traps preparatory to having dinner and catching the nine o'clock train from the Gare du Nord。 At the reception desk I sars Kettering's maid。 I went up to her and asked if Mrs Kettering was staying there。〃
〃Yes； yes；〃 said Van Aldin。 〃Of course。 Naturally。 And she told you that Ruth had gone on to the Riviera and had sent her to the Ritz to await further orders ther