I could make nothing of it all, and rose at last with an aching back and no advantage.
I did not go on to the village after that, but returned to the house, where I found Madame pacing the garden.

She looked up eagerly on hearing my step; and I was mistaken if she was not disappointed--if she had not been expecting someone else.

She hid the feeling bravely, however, and met me with a careless word; but she turned to the house more than once while we talked, and she seemed to be all the while on the watch, and uneasy.

I was not surprised when Clon's figure presently appeared in the doorway, and she left me abruptly, and went to him.

I only felt more certain than before that there was something strange on foot.