A touch on my arm and I start violently.

"Madame!"

It is poor old Madame Caspiar whispering to me.

"You are English. You are brave n'est-ce-pas? Can you shoot the wolf."

I am staggered at the idea.

"Shoot! Oh! I'd miss it! I daren't try it. I've never even handled a gun!" I stammer out.

I see myself revealed now as the coward that I am.

"Then I shall shoot it!" says old Madame Caspiar in a trembling voice.

She picks up the gun.

"When I was a girl I was a very good shot!"