"You will please close it, Madame," she urged with a smile. "I am quite 'armless."
And Moira obeyed, catching the bolt into its place and turning with an air very little mollified.
"Who are you?" she demanded shortly. "Answer me."
instead of replying at once Piquette sank into a chair, crossed one knee over the other and leaned forward, her chin on her fingers, staring frankly at her companion.
"You are 'andsome, Madame 'Orton," she murmured as though grudgingly. "Ver' 'andsome."
Moira flushed a little and returned the other woman's look, a sudden suspicion flashing across her mind that this woman—this was——
"Who are you?" she stammered.
"I—I am Madame Morin—and I am called Piquette," said the visitor clearly.
Moira recoiled a pace, her back as flat as the door behind her.
"You——! Piquette Morin! You'd dare!"