Then she stood bewildered; she saw before her, not one of the lodgers, but Messer Blondel.

"I wish to speak to you," the magistrate said with firmness.
Before she knew what was happening he had motioned to her to go before him into the house, and following had locked the door behind them.
She knew him by sight, as did all Geneva; and the blood, which surprise at the sight of a stranger had brought to her cheeks, fled as she recognised the Syndic.

Had they betrayed her, then, while she lingered upstairs?
Had they locked her in while they summoned the magistrate?
And was he here to make inquiries about--something he had heard?
His voice cut short her thoughts without allaying her fears.

"I wish to speak to you alone," he said.

"Are you alone, girl ?" His manner was quiet, but masked excitement.