"You are exceedingly kind. On the day following the evening on which I received your instructions I set about the business, and I was not long in finding the man who worked you and yours so great a wrong."
"Not long? Impossible that he was in England?"
"On the contrary, mademoiselle, he was in this country. Do not ask me how I discovered him. As an ex-officer of Cossacks you will understand that my inquiries were respected. The task was not difficult; in fact, it was ridiculously easy."
"Why do you laugh like that? You found this monster; what then?"
"He went to Russia. I went also."
"And you challenged him there?" cried Gabrielle, and the womanly softness fled from her eyes.
"I did not."
"Monsieur! monsieur!"
"Listen. He returned to England; and I, too, followed."
"What! You permitted him to escape? You lost this chance?"