This was too much, and I laughed. "No, my girl; he hasn't been stealing. But, being absent-minded, he has taken another man's hat, and I am bringing his home in hopes of getting the one he took by mistake."
"Oh!" And the maid laughed shrilly.
I held out the hat.
"My land! that's his hat, sure enough. I was wondering what made him look so funny when he went out."
"Where has he gone?" came sharply over my shoulder.
"If you will wait," said the maid good-naturedly, "I will inquire."
We waited. So far as I was concerned, I hoped he was miles away, and that we might go on riding for hours and hours. The maid returned soon.
"He has gone to meet the French consul at Mouquin's."
"Which one?" I asked. "There are two, one down and one up town."