Page:Watts Mumford--Whitewash.djvu/245

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

WHITEWASH

maintained her stubborn silence, now and again darting venomous glances at Philippa through her heavy veil.

"Occupation?"

"She is a pal of Valdeck's, alias Kelsoff, alias O'Farrell."

"Lift that veil," commanded the officer.

The blue tissue was raised, revealing a sharp, not unhandsome face, on which the traces of a delicate make-up were apparent, contrasting with her present pallor.

Victoria started, looked, and looked again.

"Why," she cried, "I know her! That is the maid, Madame Château-Lamion's maid."

The woman turned on her an instant's searching glance; then, in spite of herself, recognition dawned in her face. "Connais pas," she said, shortly, with a shrug of her shoulders.

"You could swear to this?" the captain asked, slowly, of Victoria, who answered without hesitation:

"Yes, I will swear to it. I recall her perfectly."

"That's the consul's racket," Mulligan sug-

235