"Pray do not distress yourself, mademoiselle. There is no cause for alarm. My friend and I merely wish to speak for a moment with Monsieur Le Pontois before he enters his house. For that reason we have presumed to stop your car."
"But who are you?" demanded Le Pontois angrily. "Who are you that you should hold us up like this?"
"Perhaps, m'sieur, it would be better if you descended and escorted mademoiselle as far as your gates. We wish to speak to you for a moment upon a little matter which is both urgent and private."
"Well, cannot you speak here, now, and let us proceed?"
"Not before mademoiselle," replied the man. "It is a confidential matter."
Paul, much puzzled at the curious demeanour of the strangers, reluctantly handed Enid out, and walked with her as far as his own gate, telling her to assure Blanche that he would return in a few moments, when he had heard what the men wanted.
"Very well," she laughed. "I'll say nothing. You can tell her all when you come in."
The girl passed through the gates and up the gravelled drive to the house, when Le Pontois, turning upon his heel to return to the car, was met by the two men, who, he found, had walked closely behind him.
"You are Paul Le Pontois?" inquired the elder of the pair brusquely.
"Of course! Why do you ask that?"