"You will take my arm and come with me, Monsieur Veeleeum."
"I will do nothing of the kind until my errand is finished," I answered desperately.
De Chaumont looked sharply at the man, but his own salvation required him to lay hold on the marquis. As he did so, Eagle's face and my face encountered in a panel of mirror, two flashes of pallor; and I took my last look.
"You will come with me now," said the gendarme at my ear.
She saw him, and understood his errand.
There was no chance. De Chaumont wheeled ready to introduce me to the marquis. I was not permitted to speak to him. But Eagle took my right arm and moved down the corridor with me.
Decently and at once the disguised gendarme fell behind where he could watch every muscle without alarming Madame de Ferrier. She appeared not to see him. I have no doubt he praised himself for his delicacy and her unconsciousness of my arrest.
"You must not think you can run away from me," she said.
"I was coming back," I answered, making talk.
My captor's person heaved behind me, signifying that he silently laughed. He kept within touch.