He half rose from his chair, and Asticot shrieked.
"What were you doing here?" snapped out Warner.
"M-m'sieu'—it was but a peaceful reconnoissance in search of—of information——" stuttered Asticot in terror.
"What information?—You rat!"
"M-m-m'sieu'—I swear to you on the cross of my mother——"
"Stop that! Go on! Go on faster! What information?"
"T-t-to f-find out if l-la fille, Philippa, had taken refuge with M-madame la Comtesse——"
"Who wants that information?"
"I s-swear to you——"
"Quick! Who wants it!"