I gave him my hand, and he held it to his lips. Then I broke from him and fled home.
Georgette received me with a volley of outcries about the spoilt dinner.
"Where is Susan?" I asked.
"She is not come back," said Georgette, retreating towards the kitchen. And then I saw that Georgette was in the secret.
"Georgette," I said peremptorily in French, "I insist that you tell me this instant where Susan has gone."
Her brow darkened. She looked at me defiantly, and tossed her head.
"Come," I commanded, with a rap on the table. "I insist. This moment."
"Pardon, Madame," retorted Georgette with Republican spirit, "I am the servant of Madame Dupoirier and the friend of Susan."
There was no time to argue. I shifted my ground, and coaxed.
"If you are the friend of Susan," I said, "you will answer at once. Something very important has happened. We must find her at once."