"You refer undoubtedly to Fraulein Seidel. She is the daughter of a peasant, and I sometimes think possesses the cunning and cupidity of a peasant, although she was taken up when only five or six years old by the mother of the late Baroness, as a companion for her daughter. She was educated with that daughter, and treated throughout like one of the family. During the last years of the Baron's life she developed a very acute business talent, and devoted much of her time to helping him in a secretarial capacity. The last time I saw the Baron in relation to his affairs, it was quite evident to me that she knew more about them than he did; a dangerously clever person, I should say."
"Was Miss Seidel acquainted with your nephew, the secretary?"
Again the Count looked worried.
"I should like to know your reason for that enquiry," he said.
"Because it was assuredly Miss Seidel who called upon me in the guise of the Baroness, and I received her, after questioning your secretary regarding the genuineness of your letter of introduction. I received every assurance from this Embassy that the lady was what she purported to be. As a consequence I purchased a Transylvania
