"That, sir," said Dieppe, waving his hand towards the barricade, "is erected in order to prevent intrusion. But it does n't seem to be very successful."
"Who are you?" demanded Paul, angrily.
"I should, I think, be the one to ask that question," Dieppe answered with a smile. "It is not, I believe, your garden?" His emphasis on "your" came very near to an assertion of proprietorship in himself. "Pray, sir, to what am I indebted for the honour of this meeting?" The Captain was enjoying this unexpected encounter with his supposed pursuer. Apparently the pursuer did not know him. Very well; he would take advantage of that bit of stupidity on the part of the pursuer's superior officers. It was like them to send a man who did n't know him! "You wish to see some one in the house?" he asked, looking at Paul's angry and puzzled face.
But Paul began to recover his coolness.
"I am indeed to blame for my intrusion," he said. "I 'm passing the night at the inn, and tempted by the mildness of the air—"
"It is certainly very mild," agreed Dieppe.
"I strolled across the stepping-stones and up the hill. I admire the appearance of a river by night."
"Certainly, certainly. But, sir, the river does not run in this garden."
"Of course not, M. le Comte," said Paul, forcing a smile. "At least I presume that I address—?"
Dieppe took off his hat, bowed, and replaced it. He had, however, much ado not to chuckle.