"There is something wrong there," he said, under his breath.
Minute after minute they watched in silence. The last misty shred of wild fowl floated seaward and was lost against the clouds.
"Is there a path to the Étang?" he asked quietly.
"Yes. I will go with you——"
"No."
"Why?"
"No. Show me the path."
His shotgun stood by the door; he took it with him as he left the house beside her. In the moat, close by the bridge, and pointing toward the house, L'Ombre lay motionless. They saw it as they passed, but did not speak of it to each other. At the forest's edge he halted: "Is this the path?"
"Yes.... May I not go?"
"No—please."