," he
said, addressing me in fair English, "what is the nature of your
business that it can possibly concern either M. Duchaine or his
daughter? Perhaps I can inform you, since he is one of my
parishioners."

"My conversation was not with you, _monsieur le cure_," I answered
shortly, and left the shop. I had ascertained what I needed to know,
and had no desire to enter into a discussion of my business with the
old man.

I had not gone three paces from the door, however, when the priest,
coming up behind me, placed a huge hand upon my shoulder and swung me
around without the least apparent effort.

"I do not know what your business is, _monsieur_," he said, "but if it
were an honest one you would state it to me. If you wish to see M.
Duchaine I am best qualified to assist you to do so, since I visit his
chateau twice each year to carry the consolations of religion to him
and his people. But if your business is not honest it will fail. End
it then and return to your own country."

"I do not intend to discuss my business with you, _monsieur_," I
answered angrily. It is humiliating to be in the physical grip of
another man, even though he be a priest.

He let me go and stood eyeing me with his keen gaze. I jumped on a
passing car, but looking back, I saw him striding along behind it. He
seemed to walk as quickly as the car went through the crowded street,
and with no effort.

When I got off in the neighbourhood of the Place d'Armes it was nearly
dark; but though I could not see the old man, I was convinced that he
was still following me.

I found Jacqueline in her room looking over her purchases, and took her
down to dinner.

And here I had another disconcerting experience, for hardly were we
seated when the inquisitive stranger whom I had seen at the ferry came
into the dining-room, and after a careful survey which ended as his
eyes fell on us, he took his seat at an adjacent table.

I could not but connect him with our presence there.

Leroux was due to arrive at any moment. I realized that great issues
were at stake, that the man would never cease in his attempts to get
hold of Jacqueline. Only when I had returned her to her father's house
would I feel safe from him.

The chateau was the worst place to have made my headquarters. If I had
realized the man's persistence, perhaps I would have sought less
conspicuous lodgings. Leroux's behaviour at the railroad station had
betrayed both an ungover