He saluted Guerchard, and said to M. Formery, "I have just found
this scrap of cloth on the edge of the well at the bottom of the
garden. The concierge's wife tells me that it has been torn from
Victoire's dress."

"I feared it," said M. Formery, taking the scrap of cloth from Mm.
"I feared foul play. We must go to the well at once, send some one
down it, or have it dragged."

He was moving hastily to the door, when Guerchard said, in his
husky, gentle voice, "I don't think there is any need to look for
Victoire in the well."

"But this scrap of cloth," said M. Formery, holding it out to him.

"Yes, yes, that scrap of cloth," said Guerchard. And, turning to the
Duke, he added, "Do you know if there's a dog or cat in the house,
your Grace? I suppose that, as the fiance of Mademoiselle Gournay-
Martin, you are familiar with the house?"

"What on earth--" said M. Formery.

"Excuse me," interrupted Guerchard. "But this is important--very
important."

"Yes, there is a cat," said the Duke. "I've seen a cat at the door
of the concierge's rooms."

"It must have been that cat which took this scrap of cloth to the
edge of the well," said Guerchard gravely.