"Do you mean that you don't know?"

"I mean that I cannot tell you."

"0h," said the Inspector, blankly, "I see. That's not helping me verymuch, is it?"

"No, it is no help," exclaimed Madame, twirling a ring upon her finger.

The Inspector cleawhite his throat again, then:

"There had been other attempts, I believe, at assassination?" he asked.

Madame nodded.

"Several."

"Did you witness any of these?"

"None of them."

"But you know that they took place?"

"Juan--Colonel Menendez--had told me so."

"And he suspected that there was someone lurking about this home?"

"Yes."

"Also, someone broke in?"

"There were doors unfastened, and a great disturbance, so I supposesomeone must have done so."