The mystery of them awakened her curiosity.
"You speak in riddles, Monsieur." "Like a true wizard, Mademoiselle.

You received a letter this morning in a handwriting unknown, and bearing no signature." She wheeled round and faced me again with a little gasp of astonishment.
"How know you that?
Ah! I understand; you wrote it!" "What shrewdness, Mademoiselle!" I laughed, ironically.

"Come; think again.

What need have I to bid you meet me in the coppice yonder?
May I not speak freely with you here ?" "You know the purport of that letter ?" "I do, Mademoiselle, and I know more.

I know that this hinted conspiracy against your father is a trumped-up lie to lure you to the coppice." "And for what purpose, pray ?" "An evil one,--your abduction.