“The doctor doesn’t know me, mother. I am worth a dozen sick men at this minute. Please let me deal with him, and both of you stand aside, so that the fellow can’t hide himself behind you.”
The girl and the woman were willing enough to do this, and shrank away from the closet. Then, struck by a sudden idea, the woman backed herself up to the door leading to the hallway.
Feeling himself cornered, Henry threw up his hands, and stepped out of the closet.
“Don’t fire,” he said as quietly as he could, although his heart was thumping loudly in his breast.
“If you have a pistol throw it on the bed,” said the Frenchman in excellent English.
“I am totally unarmed,” was Henry’s ready answer.
“Is it possible! Where did you come from?”
Henry began to explain, when the French officer suddenly interrupted him.
“Am I mistaken, or have we met before?” he said.
“I do not remember you,” returned Henry, puzzled at the unexpected question.