He looked round the room to make sure that no trace of his visit remained. Then he stooped over the countess again and whispered:
"Think of your son and, whatever happens, fear nothing…. I am watching over you."
She heard him open and shut the door of the boudoir and, a few minutes later, the hall–door.
At half–past three, a motor–cab drew up. The door downstairs was slammed again; and, almost immediately after, Yvonne saw her husband hurry in, with a furious look in his eyes. He ran up to her, felt to see if she was still fastened and, snatching her hand, examined the ring. Yvonne fainted….
* * * * *
She could not tell, when she woke, how long she had slept. But the broad light of day was filling the boudoir; and she perceived, at the first movement which she made, that her bonds wer
