The man was the first to recover himself.
"Madame, after what has occurred, and for our mutual benefit, we must have a full explanation at once," he exclaimed, hastily.
"I think so, too, monsieur."
"Very well, then, madame. I—"
"Take care! Look out for that wagon!" exclaimed the lady, pointing to a big milk wagon that was tearing down the street, almost grazing the gutter in which the man in the cloak had stopped.
He sprang aside quickly, but, in the meantime, Florence and Michel had reached the square, and disappeared from sight, thanks to the progress they had made during this short colloquy between their pursuers.
The woman, noting Michel's disappearance, exclaimed, in accents of intense dismay:
"I don't see him any longer! I have lost him!"
These words reminded her companion of the pursuit he, too, had momentarily forgotten, and he, too, turned quickly, but could see nothing of Florence.
"Let us hasten on to the square, madame; perhaps we can overtake them. Here, take my arm."