There was a mystery about her while she was acting as my governess."
"Governess to whom--yourself?"
"No, an older sister of Alice."
"She was a Frenchwoman?"
"I always believed so, but as she assumed the name of Donetti it is
possible she may have been Italian, or her parents may have been Italian
people."
"She spoke Italian?"
"She did indeed. She spoke all the continental languages, also English,
and her son is a splendid linguist."
"Madam, that note came from Alphonse Donetti."
"And what does it portend?"
The detective meditated a few moments and then said:
"I can only theorize."
"And what is your theory?"
"I fear Alphonse has gotten into bad company. I fear he is associating
with thieves. He may have learned that there was a scheme on foot to rob
you. He did not dare warn you fully, but sent you this missive, and the
fact that he sent you this note would indicate that no matter how bad a
man he has become he still possesses the quality of gratitude. A very
rare quality, madam; few possess it.
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