Duval cast a glance round the room. "I do not like this house. I do not know where the stairs are, but he goes up them like a ghost, m'sieur, and he can hear."
"The stairs," said Charles patiently, "are at the other end of the hall, and since each step has its own creaking board I defy anyone to go up like a ghost. The only people in the house are ourselves, my family, my servant and his wife, and three guests, who are playing bridge in the library."
Duval said suspiciously. "Those three? Who are they?"
"Dr and Mrs. Roote, and Colonel Ackerley."
Duval seemed satisfied, but he sank his voice even lower. "M'sieur, I will be quick. I come to say to you that you must not set your gendarme to watch me. You must tell him there is no harm in poor Duval. M'sieur, it is true! I do not do you any evil when I am in your garden, and I must go there, though I fear greatly, yes greatly! It is there I think I find the Monk. Something I have discovered. But your gendarme he challenge me, and I go away before I have discovered the great mystery. M'sieur, I implore you permit that I search here."
"My dear fellow," Charles said, "I really can't have you prowling about the grounds. My wife doesn't like it, and I warn you I've got a revolver, and I'm liable to shoot if I see anyone suspicious lurking near the house."
This threat did not have much effect. "But me you know, and you would not shoott me after all your so great kindness. No, no, I know better. And I tell you it is of importance - of importance unheard of that you do not let that gendarme follow me. If I am watched what can I do? And he, that imbecile, he goes so clumsily he can be heard, and it is not only Duval who hears him." "You mean - you think you're on the track of the Monk."
The guarded look came creeping back into the artist's wild eyes. "I do not say."
"Then in that case I fear Ido not call off my watchdog."
"But, m'sieur, I have told you I do no harm! I would not hurt you, or those others. What do I care for them? But nothing!"