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She was undeniably as smart as she was pretty. She listened to me intently, and she asked in English.

“You speak and understand English then perfectly.”

It was a pretty trap, but I was not to be drawn, so I replied in French—

“An American must necessarily speak his own language, mademoiselle;” and at that she laughed softly.

“You are doubtless staying at the Hotel Imperial, the favourite hotel with Americans?”

“No, I am staying at the Palace with my friend the Emperor;” a truth which sounded so ridiculous that she laughed again.

“We will be careful that a friend of our Emperor has his wishes regarded so far as possible.”

We rode some distance after that without speaking until I broke the silence.

“There are three questions I should like to ask, mademoiselle. Have I your permission?”

“I cannot pledge myself to answer them, m’sieur.”

“Where are we going?”

“That will depend upon whether you have kept faith with M. Boreski.”

“In what way?”

“Are we being followed?”

“I gave express orders to the contrary.”