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Rosalie caught sight of me I thought she was going to keel over, but she pulled herself together, and her eyes fastened on Léontine in a hard little stare.

There was quite a group round the gate. Everybody looked at us as we came out, and somebody asked:

"The poor fellow is dead—or dying?"

"No," answered Léontine. "He is in no danger. Fortunately a priest was not needed after all." She glanced about, and her eyes fell on Rosalie's taxi and Rosalie herself standing beside it.

You are free, madame?" asked Léontine.

"Yes, madame," Rosalie answered.

Then will you take monsieur to Paris to prepare them at the maison de santé to receive our brave chauffeur? I cannot get the place on the telephone. One can never get anybody at any time on the telephone in Paris or the suburbs."

"Perfectly, madame," answered Rosalie, and stepped to crank the motor.

I lifted my hat to Léontine and walked to the taxi; and as I passed the group at the gate I heard somebody say in an undertone:

"He looks badly frightened, that prédicateur." As soon as we were clear of the gate I put my lips to the tube. 237