"Start at once, I beg you. I certainly don't understand the whole of the affair. Is d'Estreicher, who already is the possessor of the medal, going to try to steal a second? Has the one he stole from my father been stolen from him by an accomplice? As yet I don't know anything about it. But I am certain that from now on the real ground of the struggle is younder, at your home. I'm so sure of it that I'm going there myself as well. Look: here is my road-map. Hillocks Manor near Clisson—still nearly a hundred miles to go—eight stages for the caravan. Be off; you will get there to-night. I shall be there in eight days."
Dominated by her, he gave way.
"Perhaps you're right. I ought to have thought of all this myself—especially since my father will be alone to-night."
"Alone?"
"Yes. All the servants are keeping holiday. One of them is getting married at a neighboring village."
She started.
"Does d'Estreicher know?"
"I think so. I fancy I spoke of this fête before him, during my stay at Roborey."
"And when did he escape?"
"The day before yesterday."