“I could,” said Katherine, “but at the moment I see no reason to do so.”

In a somewhat British fashion she felt annoyed. This foreign official seemed to her impertinent.

“No reason?” cried the Commissary. “Oh yes, Madame, I can assure you that there is a reason.”

“Then perhaps you will give it to me.”

The Commissary rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a minute or two without speaking.

“Madame,” he said at last, “the reason is very simple. The lady in question was found dead in her compartment this morning.”

“Dead!” gasped Katherine. “What was it⁠—heart failure?”

“No,” said the Commissary in a reflective, dreamy voice. “No⁠—she was murdered.”