“I have a word or two to say to you in private.”
“Of course, my darling pet. Come into this room.”
She led her companion into a small apartment which had not been placed at the disposal of the general company.
“This man whom you are about to give into charge for—burglary—for housebreaking——” she paused.
“Well, what of him?”
“Do you intend to charge him?”
“Do I? Well, I suppose so. You heard what the gentlemen said but just now. I was bound to do so on public grounds.”
“There are private reasons for your not doing so.”
“For my not doing so? You surprise me, Aveline. Name them.”
“He is known to me.”