“Oh, you mean you would make her a prisoner. Then, if she were here, I would refuse to tell you.”
“It will be better to answer me directly,” said the officer.
“Did you ever know a woman who could, monsieur?”
“By your leave I must press for a decided reply to my question.”
“And by your leave I deny your right to question me and expect any reply.”
“As you please, of course,” he answered courteously. “There is another matter. A guard of men was left here this morning when the house had been searched——”
“Searched?” broke in Lucette. “Searched? Malincourt searched! There has been no search of Malincourt while I have been here. True, I was absent in attendance upon the Duchess de Rochelle this morning, but Malincourt searched! Surely you are misinformed.”
“It is as I say. The house was searched in the belief that the prisoners were here, or Mademoiselle de Malincourt herself, and a guard was left in case they should seek refuge here.”
“Mademoiselle de Malincourt seek refuge in her own house! Monsieur!”
“I think you must know of this,” he answered smiling.