"So, that is settled: I am not to be permitted to take my jewels to Paris alone. What then, monsieur?"
"I would suggest you write your bankers," said Duchemin seriously, "and tell them that you contemplate bringing to Paris some valuables to entrust to their care. Say that you prefer not to travel without protection, and request them to send you two trusted men--detectives, they may call them--to guard you on the way. They will do so without hesitation, and you may then feel entirely at ease."
"Not otherwise, you think?"
"Not otherwise, I feel sure."
"But why? You have been so persistent about this matter, monsieur. Ever since that night when those curious people stopped here in the rain.... Can it be that you suspect them of evil designs upon my trinkets?" Duchemin shrugged. "Who knows, madame, what they were? You call them 'curious'; for my part I find the adjective apt."
"I fancy I know what you thought about them..."
"And that is--?"
"That they rather led the conversation to the subject of my jewels."
"Such was my thought, indeed."
"Perhaps you were right. If so, they learned all they needed to know."