And as I sat there in my office filled with all
sorts of misgivings, in ran one of the men engaged in watching the
Grand Duke.
The Grand Duke had been seized with illness as he left his box in the
Montmartre theatre and had died before his car could reach the hotel!
CHAPTER III
A STRANGE QUESTION
A conviction burst upon my mind that a frightful crime had been
committed. By whom and for what purpose I knew not. I hastened to the
hotel of the Grand Duke. Tremendous excitement prevailed there, of
course. There is no more certain way for a great personage to court
publicity than to travel incognito. Everywhere that "M. de Stahler"
had appeared all Paris had cried, "There goes the Grand Duke Ivan!"
And now as I entered the hotel, press, police and public were
demanding: "Is it true that the Grand Duke is dead?" Just emerging
from the lift I saw Casimir. _In propria persona_--as M. Max--he
failed to recognize me.
"My good man," I said--"are you a member of the suite of the late
Grand Duke?"
"I am, or was, the valet of M. de Stahler, monsieur," he replied.
I showed him my card.
"To me 'M. de Stahler' is the Grand Duke Ivan. What other servants had
he with him?" I asked, although I knew very well.
"None, monsieur."
"Where and when was he taken ill?"
"At the Theatre Coquerico. Montmartre, at about a quarter past ten
o'clock to-night."
"Who was with him?"
"No one, monsieur. His Highness was alone in a box.
Pages:
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98