At the end where it topped the hill, I could see the finger-post, two faint black lines against the sky.

When we reached that--involuntarily I checked my horse and made it move more slowly.
'Well, sir ?' she said impatiently.

And her figure shook as with cold.
'It is a tale I desire to tell you, Mademoiselle,' I answered.

'Perhaps I may seem to begin a long way off, but before I end I promise to interest you.

Two months ago there was living in Paris a man--perhaps a bad man--at any rate, by common report a hard man; a man with a peculiar reputation.' She turned on me suddenly, her eyes gleaming through her mask.
'Oh, Monsieur, spare me this!' she said, quietly scornful.