"I would change the route," he suggested. "Go by Ostend, Strasburg and Milan."
"Mrs. Caldwell has already taken our tickets," she said. "Besides, it is a terribly long way round by that route."
"I know," he murmured. "But it will be best. I have a reason—a strong reason, Enid, for urging you to go by Ostend."
"It is not in my power to do so. Jane always makes our travelling arrangements. Besides, we have sleeping berths secured on the night rapide from the Gare de Lyon to Turin."
"I will see Mrs. Caldwell, and get her tickets changed," he said. "Do you understand, Enid? There are reasons—very strong reasons—why you should not travel across France!"
"No, I don't," declared the girl. "You are mysterious again. Why don't you be open with me and give me your reasons for this suggestion?"
"I would most willingly—if I could," he answered. "Unfortunately, I cannot."
"I don't think Mrs. Caldwell will travel by the roundabout route which you suggest merely because you have a whim that we should not cross France," she remarked, looking straight at him.
"If you enter France a disaster will happen—depend upon it," he said, speaking very slowly, his eyes fixed upon her.
"Are you a prophet?" the girl asked. "Can you prophesy dreadful things to happen to us?"