“And you are no ordinary thief-catcher, monsieur. A gallant captain like yourself must find such work little to your taste.”
“We have to obey orders, mademoiselle.”
“And frighten poor girls out of their wits, it seems. I thought all soldiers were as gallant as most of them are handsome,” and she pointed this with a very telling glance.
“You need be in no fear, mademoiselle, if you will but let us do our duty.”
“Then you are not going to arrest me?” and she laughed, and added as she made more havoc with her eyes: “I think I could trust myself to you, monsieur.”
“Is Mademoiselle de Malincourt here?”
“Mademoiselle de Malincourt!” This in a tone of intense astonishment. “What will you ask me next? Is she one of your escaped prisoners?” and Lucette burst into a peal of merry laughter.
“His Excellency the Governor is anxious to see her at the Castle, and we are to escort her there.”
“You speak in riddles, monsieur. Do you mean that the Duke de Rochelle invites guests to the Castle with a file of soldiers to see that they accept the invitation? Surely I am dreaming.”
“One of the prisoners who escaped was a friend of mademoiselle, and she is asked for at the Castle in regard to the matter.”