Part 24 (2/2)

”Absolute!” he replied with conviction ”Do you take me for a native of these sink holes? Mon Dieu! Does your mud so completely cover me? But surely it must be this cursed darkness, or you would have said differently Where is this other place?”

I was glad it was too dark for hiuide you there,” I said, ”for I am to stop here in case I am followed We have had to be careful, very careful indeed--you understand?”

Impatiently he shi+fted his position

”For sixelse--careful--always careful It becomes unbearable, but where is this place you speak of--in so?”

I pointed to the left of the trees where Made

”I quite understand,” I said politely, ”even a day with this paper is quite enough, but it is not a bog and you can reach it quite easily You see where I point? Simply follow that field in that direction for half a ht, and after three miles you will see a house, the first house you will ambrel roof and overlooks the river Simply knock on the door so--one knock, a pause, and three in succession It will be understood

You have a horse?”

”What is left of hiood God kno he has carriedthis far Yes, he is attached to a post Well, we are off, and et it You wait here?”

”In case we are followed,” I said

He pointed straight before hi of branches and shouts”

”Then in the naht, ”and turn out to the side if you see anyone co him leave was not entirely unalloyed As I walked to the oak thicket where Made hi anyone a turn that is worse than necessary Yet there was only one other way I could think of to keep hi She was feeding the horse handfuls of grass

”It is quite all right, Mademoiselle,” I said ”Let us move to the house

It may be more comfortable in the doorway”

We stood silently for a while, listening to the wind and the dull rew blacker I listened attentively, but there was no sound Surely he was co

”Tell me, Monsieur,” said Mademoiselle, ”what sort of woman was your mother?”

Unbidden, a picture of her caely out of place

”She was very beautiful,” I said

She sighed

”And very proud,” said Mademoiselle

”Yes, very proud Why did she call him a thief, Monsieur?”

But I did not answer

”You are certain your father is co?” she asked finally