“No, no, where were you when you came into the room?”
“I was against the door,” said Victoire.
“And where was the screen?” said Guerchard. “Was it before the fireplace?”
“No; it was on one side—the left-hand side,” said Victoire.
“Oh, will you show me exactly where it stood?” said Guerchard.
Victoire rose, and, Guerchard aiding her, set the screen on the left-hand side of the fireplace.
Guerchard stepped back and looked at it.
“Now, this is very important,” he said. “I must have the exact position of the four feet of that screen. Let’s see ... some chalk ... of course.... You do some dressmaking, don’t you, Madame Victoire?”
“Oh, yes, I sometimes make a dress for one of the maids in my spare time,” said Victoire.
“Then you’ve got a piece of chalk on you,” said Guerchard.