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36 and he spread his hands out and spoke as if in sorrow that such a suspicion should even be named. "That she suspects something I know to be true indeed."

"Tell me. Quick, Jacques, I am uneasy."

"Purposefully I put myself in her way, m'sieu. She is a pretty girl enough and thinks, forsooth, that all men can be wheedled by her glances. She led round artfully to the subject and plied me with questions, all inspired, as I could see, by what this Denys had told her. She did not find me easy to draw, m'sieu," and he smiled with deprecating reference to his secrecy. "But 'twas easy to see what was in her thoughts."

"She may also be a source of danger. She may tell Gabrielle," exclaimed de Proballe quickly. "By Heaven; the thing must be stopped."

But it was not Dauban's wish to have Lucette harmed, so he made haste to check this thought.

"Of herself she knows nothing, m'sieu; all hangs on the man's story, and if both of them were removed from Malincourt, might not miladi herself take fright?"

"A shrewd thought, Jacques. We must deal with the man alone. Do you think he can have seen my niece yet?"

"No, m'sieu, I am sure. I watched him closely. But this morning he may seek her—nay, he will do so. He said as much."

"He must not," exclaimed de Proballe earnestly. "At any cost that must be prevented."

"It will be difficult, m'sieu, but should not be impossible."

"You have a thought, I see. Speak it."

"It is not for me to offer counsel to you, m'sieu. But yesterday there was a cavalier who afforded some assistance to miladi in the market place. She is anxious to find him, and sent this Denys yesterday in search of him. If you could have knowledge that the stranger was to