"Well, yes, my dear, so she tells me, was so frightened she stayed with the carriage. And her friend, a--another lady, escaped in the dark with some jewels--and----"
"Michieson!" madam cried, in her most awful voice, "did you believe this--this cock and bull story that you dare to repeat to me?"
He glanced from one to the other. "Well, my dear," he answered in confusion, "I--at least, the lady told me----"
"Did you believe it? Yes or no! Did you believe it?"
"Well, I----"
"Did you go to look for the carriage?"
"Yes, my dear, I did."
"And did you find it?"
"Well, no," the clergyman confessed. "I did not."
"Nor the servants?"