"What do you mean?" Florian suddenly felt sick and dizzy.
"She does not know any one. And she does not speak."
"Not speak?" echoed Florian, and the sense of sickness and dread increased. "What has happened to her?"
"She was frightened...." Chérie's voice was toneless and he had to bend close to her to catch her words. "She was frightened ... that night you left ... my birthday night." ... There was a silence. She could say no more. And suddenly Florian was silent too.
His silence seemed to fall on her heart like a heavy stone. At last she raised her eyes to his face.
"Speak," he said, "speak quickly."
"That night ... they ... they came here...."
"I know. I know they came through Bomal." The cold sweat stood on his brow. "Did they—come to this house?"
"Yes," said Chérie.
Again there was silence—heavy and portentous.