16. The Beroldy Case

           Sometwentyyearsorsobeforetheopeningofthepresentstory,MonsieurArnoldBeroldy,anativeofLyons,arrivedinParisaccompaniedbyhisprettywifeandtheirlittledaughter,amerebabe.MonsieurBeroldywasajuniorpartnerinafirmofwinemerchants,astoutmiddle-agedman,fondofthegoodthingsoflife,devotedtohischarmingwife,andaltogetherunremarkableineveryway.ThefirminwhichMonsieurBeroldywasapartnerwasasmallone,andalthoughdoingwell,itdidnotyieldalargeincometothejuniorpartner.TheBeroldyshadasmallapartmentandlivedinaverymodestfashiontobeginwith.

           ButunremarkablethoughMonsieurBeroldymightbe,hiswifewasplentifullygildedwiththebrushofRomance.Youngandgoodlooking,andgiftedwithalwithasingularcharmofmanner,MadameBeroldyatoncecreatedastirinthequarter,especiallywhenitbegantobewhisperedthatsomeinterestingmysterysurroundedherbirth.ItwasrumouredthatshewastheillegitimatedaughterofaRussianGrandDuke.OthersassertedthatitwasanAustrianArchduke,andthattheunionwaslegal,thoughmorganatic.Butallstoriesagreedupononepoint,thatJeanneBeroldywasthecentreofaninterestingmystery.Questionedbythecurious,MadameBeroldydidnotdenytheserumours.Ontheotherhandsheletitbeclearlyunderstoodthat,thoughher“lips”were“sealed,”allthesestorieshadafoundationinfact.Tointimatefriendssheunburdenedherselffurther,spokeofpoliticalintrigues,of“papers,”ofobscuredangersthatthreatenedher.