"You came down here--alone?"
"I listened first, heard no sound, saw no light; but I had to know what the noise meant..."
"Still, you came downstairs alone!"
"But naturally, monsieur."
"I don't believe," said Duchemin sincerely, "the world holds a woman your peer for courage."
"Or curiosity?" she laughed. "At all events, I found you, but could do nothing to rouse you. So I called Jean, and he helped me get you upstairs again."
"Where does Jean sleep?"
"In the servants' quarters, on the third floor, in the rear of the house."
"It must have taken you some time..."
"Several minutes, I fancy. Jean sleeps soundly."