Suddenly there was a commotion outside; the girls were talking to one another in rapid eager tones. The duchess raised her head, listening. Then she turned to me, asking:
“Can you hear what they say?”
“I can distinguish nothing except ‘Quick, quick!’”
As I spoke the door was thrown open, and two rushed in, the foremost saying:
“Again, madame, again!”
“Impossible!” exclaimed the duchess, starting up.
“No, it is true. Jean was out, snaring a rabbit, and caught sight of the carriage.”
“What carriage? Whose carriage?” I asked.
“Why, my husband’s,” said the duchess, quite calmly. “It is a favorite trick of his to surprise us. But Algeria! We thought we were safe with Algeria. He must travel underground like a mole, Suzanne, or we should have heard.”
“Oh, one hears nothing here!”
“And what,” said the duchess, “are we to do with Mr. Aycon?”
“I can solve that,” I observed. “I’m off.”
“But he’ll see you!” cried the girl. “He is but a half-mile off.”
“Mr. Aycon could take the side-path,” said the duchess.
“The duke would see him before he reached it,” said the girl. “He would be in sight for nearly fifty yards.”
“Couldn’t I hide in the bushes?” I asked.
