“Well,” I declared, “I don’t fear this Mister Mystery. Why should I?”
“Then I tell you this—if you continue to dance attendance on her as you are doing you’ll one night get a knife in your back. And you wouldn’t be the first fellow who’s received a stab in the dark through acquaintanceship with the pretty Pierrette, I can tell you that!”
“Then this mysterious person is jealous!” I laughed. “Well, let him be. I find Pierrette amusing, and she adores motoring. Your advice, mon cher Regnier, is well meant, but I don’t see any reason to discard my little charge.”
“Then you won’t take my advice?” he asked in an irritated tone.
“Certainly not. I thank you for it, but I repeat that I’m quite well able to look after myself in case of a ‘scrap’—and further, that I don’t fear the jealous lover in the least degree.”
“Then, if you don’t heed,” he said, “you must take the consequences.”
And the pair, turning on their heels, walked off without any further words.