The colonel looked at us sharply, neither friendly nor unfriendly. He said in a perfectly neutral manner:
"It is of no consequence whether she be a servant or a duchess—has a mother or not. The point is whether these people have the countersign. If they have it, they can pass, whoever they are."
"They have not," the captain answered at once. "I think you would do well, sir, to demand the lady's name."
Mademoiselle started forward for a bold stroke just as the superior officer demanded of her, "The countersign?" As he said the word, she pronounced distinctly her name:
"Lorance—"
"Enough!" the colonel said instantly. "Pass them through, Guilbert."
The young captain stood in a mull, but no more bewildered than we.
"Mighty queer!" he muttered. "Why didn't she give it to me?"
"Stir yourself, sir!" his superior gave sharp command. "They have the countersign; pass them through."