She assented with a little shudder.

“Yes, I remember that.”

“A man threw himself from the train and was crushed to death.  His body was quite unrecognisable, but from some papers found upon or near him, it was concluded that his name was Douglas Guest.”

“I remember hearing that, too,” she agreed.

“Well, there seems to have been plenty of reason for Mr. Douglas Guest to have committed suicide, as I daresay you know, if ever you read the papers.”

“I never by any chance open an English one,” she said.

“Then you probably didn’t hear of a murder in a Cumberland village the night before.  No?  Well there was one, and the man who was wanted for it was—­Mr. Douglas Guest.”

“The man who threw himself from the carriage window?”

“Apparently, yes.  We made searching inquiries into the matter, and we came to the conclusion that Douglas Guest was the man, and that he had either committed suicide, or been killed in trying to jump from the train.  We were disposed, therefore, to let the matter drop until a few days ago, when we had a visit from a Miss Strong, who proved to be the daughter of the old farmer who was murdered.  She seemed to have got hold of an idea that Douglas Guest had by some means foisted his identity on to the dead man, and was still alive.  She absolutely denied that a part of the clothing which was preserved had ever belonged to Douglas Guest, and she worked upon ‘the chief’ to such an extent that he told me off to see this through.”

“I still do not see,” she said, “in what way I am concerned in this.”

“It was your fellow-passenger, Countess, not yourself, concerning whom we were curious.  We hoped that you might be able to give us some information.  We understood that he joined the train hurriedly.  If you like I will read you a description of Douglas Guest.”

Emily de Reuss looked him in the face and shrugged her shoulders.

“My good man,” she said, “it is not necessary.  I am not in the least interested in the young man, and when I tell you that I went to the trouble and expense of engaging a compartment you will perhaps understand that I should not for a moment have tolerated any intrusion on the part of a stranger.  The gentleman who accompanied me to London was one of the house party at Maddenham Priory, and an old friend.”

The officer closed his notebook with a little sigh and bowed.

“It only remains for me,” he said, “to express to your ladyship my regrets at having troubled you in the matter.  Personally, your statement confirms my own view of the case.  The young lady is excitable, and has been deceived.”

Emily de Reuss inclined her head, and touched the knob of an electric bell.  At the door the officer turned back.

“It would perhaps be as well,” he said, “if you would favour us with the name of the gentleman who was your companion.”