"Oh, that's of no consequence. It will be very easy to divorce her."
Here, doubtless, was the popular view of this matter; and it gave me
the shudders.
Then the swing of a waltz came from the house.
"Shall we dance?" I said.
She smiled. "Monsieur is bored--let us wait for my friends."
I protested; but she was firm. And, so, when the others came up, Moore
and I made our adieux.
When we were out of hearing, Moore handed me a bit of paper.
"This just reached me,'" he said.
It was from the Secret Police and read:
"S. is at Vierle Masque. She wears a gypsy dress of black and red. L.
is also at Masque--he and Count Bigler are dressed alike in white
satin. L. came last and his presence is unknown to the Vierles for he
avoided unmasking by personating Bigler."
"So, they were the White Twins," I remarked.
"You knew them?"
"I knew only Lotzen."
"Hence your advice to our quick-tempered companion--who was he?"
"I couldn't make him out," said Moore; "but he knew the women and was
their escort from the house."
"He seemed to be a bit sour about something."
"My companion said it was because the Blue Masque chose you."
"She was very charming," said I.
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