"Your servant had an accident--I suppose we may call it that privately--as he came.

He was fired at--was wounded.

You will share with me the hope that the highwayman who stopped him may be brought to justice, though, indeed, your man Tardif left him behind in the dust.

Perhaps you came upon him, Madame--hein ?" She steeled herself.

Too much was at stake; she could not resent his hateful implications now.
"Tardif was not my messenger, Monsieur, as you know.