In the case of Muhlen’s occultation there was even less surprise than usual.  Everybody, judging by his lavish display of gold and showy manner, expected him to depart sooner or later in the orthodox manner—­at night-time, by means of a sailing boat secretly hired, conscientiously prepaid.  His more intimate friends, the Magistrate and the Commissioner, were less surprised than anyone else.  True, Signore Malipizzo was somewhat hurt, because Muhlen had practically invited him to stay at his own native town where every kind of amusement was to be had, the female society being of the choicest.  Exuberant women—­and rich!  It would have been a pleasant change after the trim but tedious gardens of Salsomaggiore.  He had strong homes, however, of receiving a letter from some safe place outside the dominions, making an appointment for the holidays.  For form’s sake, of course, he promptly initiated the ordinary judicial enquiries.  It would look well in the records of the Court.

As for Mr. Parker, who was brooding in the retirement of his villa whither the news had swiftly spread, he merely thought: 

“Got off scot free.  And without paying his Club account, I’ll bet.  Bolted.  Lucky devil.  That’s where the casual visitor has the pull over a resident official like myself.  Cleared out!  I’m glad I never had any money to lend him.  Touched a good few of them, I’ll be bound.”

Within an hour or so of the magistrate’s formal enquiries led to a startling discovery.  Muhlen’s room in the hotel was broken open, and his property searched.  No letters could be found conveying any clue as to his whereabouts.  But—­what was almost incredible—­there was loose money lying about.  A more minute investigation proved that the gentleman had dressed himself with considerable care prior to leaving the establishment for the last time.  He had changed his socks and other underwear—­yes, he had donned a clean shirt.  The old one, blue-striped, which he had been seen to wear at breakfast, was lying negligently across the back of a chair with a pair of costly enameled links, of azure colour to match, in the cuffs.  Moreover, in a small box hidden beneath some collars in a drawer were found a few foreign bank-notes, a ring or two, and a handful of gold coins such as he was in the habit of carrying about his person.  The judge, who superintended the researches, caused these valuables to be impounded, sealed, and deposited in the Court of Justice.

The discovery put a fresh and ominous complexion on the affair.  When a man means to bolt, he does not leave portable jewelry—­an enameled pair of links—­behind him.  And even if, in the hurry and scurry of departure, he does overlook such elegant trifles, he never forgets to take his money; least of all a man like Muhlen.