“You think that—”
She nodded. “I think Monsieur Barouche has some cards he hasn’t played yet. What they are I don’t know, but he’s confident. Tell me, Carnac, is there any card that would defeat you? Have you committed any crime against the law—no, I’m sure you haven’t, but I want to hear you say so.” She smiled cheerfully at him.
“He has no card of any crime of mine, and he can’t hit me in a mortal place.”
“You have the right policy for this province. But tell me, is there anyone who could hurt you, who could spring up in the fight—man or woman?”
She looked him straight in the eye, and his own did not waver.
“There’s no one has a knock-out blow for me—that’s sure. I can weather any storm.”
He paused, however, disconcerted, for the memory of Luzanne came to him, and his spirit became clouded. “Except one—except one,” he added.
“And you won’t tell me who it is?”