"Ah, and the pendant was on the bureau?" said M. Formery.

"Yes, sir," said Irma.

There was a silence. Suddenly the atmosphere of the room seemed to
have become charged with an oppression--a vague menace. Guerchard
seemed to have become wide awake again. Germaine and the Duke looked
at one another uneasily.

"Have you been long in the service of Mademoiselle Gournay-Martin?"
said M. Formery.

"Six months, sir," said Irma.

"Very good, thank you. You can go," said M. Formery. "I may want you
again presently."

Irma went quickly out of the room with an air of relief.

M. Formery scribbled a few words on the paper before him and then
said: "Well, I will proceed to question Mademoiselle Kritchnoff."

"Mademoiselle Kritchnoff is quite above suspicion," said the Duke
quickly.

"Oh, yes, quite," said Germaine.

"How long has Mademoiselle Kritchnoff been in your service,
Mademoiselle?" said Guerchard.