"So as soon as I had finished telegraphing I hurried home and bade adieu to Marie and the little Madeline and the two nephews, and then I came back to the boat—and that part I shall tell you later, for mademoiselle knows nothing of the plot against her, and has been greatly distressed for you. So it shall be understood that you fell down and hurt your head on the ice—eh?"
I agreed to this. "But what did she think?" I asked, as Jacqueline went back for some more water.
"That you had sent her to the Sainte-Vierge," he answered, "and that you were to follow her here—as you did. Even now the nephews are searching the lower town for you."
"But if I had not come before nine?"
"I should have waited all night, monsieur, even though I had lost my post for it," he said explosively, and I reached out and gripped his hand.
"You may not have seen the baggage here," continued the captain slyly.
I glanced round me. Upon the floor stood the two suit-cases, which should have been in our rooms in the château, and Jacqueline was busily tearing up some filmy material in hers for bandages.
I looked at Dubois in astonishment.
"Ah, monsieur, I sent for those," he said, "and paid your bill also. When I fight Simon Leroux I do not do things by halves. You see, monsieur, wise though he is, there are other minds equal to his own, and since he killed my brother, I——"
Here he nearly broke down, and I looked discreetly away.