“Why? what for?” he said. “You did not tell me this when you came up to the chalet last night, and sent for me.”
“No. I tell you now.”
“Why do you wish to go? There may be danger.”
“I’ll tell you. I want to see the mountains and study them. I would search for metals and specimens of the stones in the higher rocks.”
“Crystals?”
“Yes.”
“Hah!” said the guide. “To see if there is gold and silver and precious stones?”
“Yes.”
“If it is known you will be stopped by the magistrate of the commune.”
“Why? I do not want to rob the country.”