“It is nothing,” François said, with difficulty rising and holding out his hand to Brent. “We have loved her as a sister, Monsieur.”
Brent silently wrung the Frenchman’s hand and felt he must burst with gratitude. To think at last he had found Gale! He took a step toward her and she backed away. She seemed curiously afraid of him.
“Gale,” and now François spoke in English, “this young man has come to take you back to your parents and friends.”
“He knows——” Gale started in a whisper.
François nodded. “He knows you. He has come to take you back to those who love you.”
“I must leave?” Gale wanted to know. She glanced first at François, at Antoinette and then down at Toto.
“Yes,” François said sadly.
“Come, Gale,” Brent said gently, holding out his hand.
But Gale did not put hers into it. Instead she backed away into a corner, Toto moving instinctively with her. Brent moved towards her, talking slowly, gently, but she was terrified. Why, he could not understand.
Toto, puppy that he was, seemed to know his friend’s fear and bared his teeth savagely at Brent.