>>6012013Emile Zobar (41WC)
We find Emile Zobar at home, ill in bed. His housekeeper, who looks nothing like our image of a French maid, shows us the way.
"We are sorry to disturb you but--"
"Nonsense, it is a slight indisposition and your company is quite welcome. To be frank with you, I am bored to tears."
He snaps shut a copy of Alice in Wonderland and reaches into the drawer of the bedstand. He withdraws a cigarette case which he opens and offers to us. We decline, but we can't help but notice the gold leaf "B & H."
"Shut the door, if you please. My housekeeper will fuss to no end if she sees me smoking."
"Would you tell us where you were on the evening of March 9th?"
"Yes, the night of Monsieur Allen's death. I was at [Simpson's] playing chess all evening."
"Do you know Richard Camp?"
"But, of course. He is employed at the Grant Arms Company and is secretly engaged to my niece, Annette Zobar."
"Why 'secretly'?"
"Because my brother is a most narrow-minded individual. Odd for a Parisian, admittedly, but..." he shrugs. "He has a strong dislike for you English. Being a most diplomatic diplomatic, he is able to keep it well-hidden. Such might not be the case should his only daughter marry an Englishman. I, on the other hand, like and admire the English very much. Richard in particular. And since I am also inordinately fond of my niece, I agreed to involve myself in their conspiracy."
"Has Mr. Camp ever talked to you about the special project on which he was working?"
"One of the qualities I admire most about the English is their profound sense of loyalty. Richard possesses that quality in the extreme. So no. My association with him is purely social, within the situation I have already explained."
We thank Monsieur Zobar for his time and wish him a speedy recovery. At the bottom of the stairs on our way out we hear two female voices conversing in the kitchen. We catch a glimpse of a well-dressed woman, whose name, "Lady Hilda," stands out from the jumble of French spoken by the housekeeper. We are uncertain of the last name, but it is one syllable and begins with an "O" or possible an "H," considering the French difficulty with the letter. Curiously, as she sees us, she quickly darts out of view.
LEADS FOLLOWED: 13
Jasper Meeks (38EC)
>>6010173H.R. Murray (22SW)
>>6010454Lord Ragland (56SW)
>>6010858Grant Arms Co. (5EC)
>>6010951Egan, John (47NW)
>>6011026Admiralty (10SW)
>>601102612 Deverell Street Plant (12SE)
>>6011380Meshkoff, Alexi (34SW)
>>6011891Russian Embassy (54SW)
>>6011936Richard Camp (23NW)
>>6011997 (You)
Rule's (19WC)
>>6012009 