"Ernest is running a great risk," he was saying. "It's quite unnecessary, to my mind. The police are everywhere on the alert, for word has, of course, come from Nice. If he is unfortunate enough to fall into their hands, he'll only have himself to blame."
"But surely you don't anticipate such a thing?" she asked, in genuine alarm.
"Well, he goes about quite openly, well knowing that his description has been circulated through every town and village in France."
"And if he were arrested, where should he be?" inquired the woman, in dismay.
"In a very awkward predicament, I fear," he responded. "That's the very reason why I'm trying to persuade Cameron to act with greater discretion. He's well known, you see, and may be recognised at any moment in the street. If he were a stranger here, in Paris, it might be different."
"It's certainly ridiculous for him to run his head into a noose. I must speak to him at once."
"He's out. He went out before six this morning, the chambermaid tells me."
"That's odd! Where's he gone?"
"I don't exactly know. Somewhere in the country, I should think."
"What if he is already arrested?"