"That I do not know."
"And Mademoiselle de Liancourt and this Captain Lemasle?"
"I last saw them in the forest which lies on the main road to Passey," Herrick answered.
"You do not look like a man who would lie," said the priest, regarding him intently.
Herrick inclined his head at the compliment. His answers were strictly true; he did not feel himself called upon to enter into explanations.
"Tell me, what made you come to Vayenne—originally, I mean?" said the priest after another pause.
"I came as any traveller might. From childhood Vayenne has always had a fascination for me. Long ago I determined to visit it some day, and truly it has treated me very scurvily thus far."
"Why this fascination?"
"Indeed, I cannot tell, but I do know it is being speedily cured," Herrick answered.
"And why have you returned to Vayenne now?"