With our engines stopped, we were silently descending the long decline which runs for miles towards Sospel, when my companion suddenly aroused himself and said—
“You mentioned Regnier’s friend—Raoul, I think you called him. Go over that incident again.”
I did as I was bidden. And when I had concluded he drew a long breath.
“Ah! Regnier is a wary bird,” he remarked, as though to himself. “I wonder what his game could be in warning you?” Then, after a pause, he asked, “Has Mademoiselle mentioned me again?”
“Several times. She is your great admirer.”
“Little fool!” he blurted forth impatiently. “Has she said any more about her missing father?”
“Yes, a good deal—always worrying about him.”
“That’s not surprising. And her lover, the man Martin, what about him?”
“She has said very little. You have taken his place in her heart,” I said.
“Quite against my will, I assure you, Ewart,” he laughed. “But, by Jove!” he added, “the whole affair is full of confounded complications. I had no idea of it all till I returned to town.”