"Listen to me!" I cried furiously. "I will not be badgered with any more questions. I have told you the truth. I met Mme. d'Epernay by accident, and I escorted her toward the château, and followed her after you kidnapped her, to protect her from you."
He grunted and glanced at me with an inscrutable expression upon his hard features.
"You are in love with her?" he asked.
"Put it that way if you choose," I answered.
He scowled at me ferociously, and then he began studying my face. I returned stare for stare. Finally he banged his big fist down upon the table.
"Well, it doesn't matter," he said, "because, whatever your purpose, you cannot do any harm. And you understand that she is a married woman. So you will, no doubt, agree to take your money and depart?"
"I shall go if she tells me to go," I answered; but even while I spoke my heart sank, for I had little hope.
"That is easily settled," answered Leroux. "I will bring her back and you shall hear the decision from her own lips."
He left the room, and I sat there alone beside the dotard, listening to the click of the ball and the chink of the coins, and the roar of the twin cataracts above.
In truth, I had no further excuse for staying. I knew what Jacqueline's reply must be.