“And now, what have you to say?”
Pierre came very close to him.
“Am I too bold in asking whether you are anxious to find out the mystery of the great lonely château, monsieur?” he asked in a thick whisper.
Bayre could not wholly repress a convulsive movement at these words.
“Mystery! Is there a mystery?” he asked, trying to speak carelessly.
Pierre laughed softly under his breath.
“Oh, I think monsieur is sure of that!”
“Well, if there is, what business is it of yours, or of mine?”
“Well, monsieur, my business is that of my master, whoever he may be,” said Pierre, in the same subdued key. “And yours, I suppose, is to learn something about your relation—and his wealth.”
These last words he said very slowly, with deep meaning.