'
'It wasn't the landlord's fault,' said Vandeloup; 'I gave Pierre
money--if I had known what he wanted it for I wouldn't have done it-
-but it's too late now.'
McIntosh was about to answer sharply as to the folly of giving the
man money, when Madame's voice was heard calling them impatiently,
and they both had to go in at once.
Mrs Villiers was ghastly pale, but there was a look of determination
about her which showed that she was anxious to hear all. Pointing to
a seat near herself she said to Vandeloup--
'Tell me everything that happened from the time I left you last
night.'
'My faith,' replied Vandeloup, carelessly taking the seat, 'there
isn't much to tell--I said goodbye to Monsieur Marchurst and
Mademoiselle Kitty and went down to Ballarar.'
'How was it you did not pass me on the way?' asked Madame, quickly
fixing her piercing eyes on him. 'I drove slowly.'
He bore her scrutiny without blenching or even changing colour.
'Easily enough,' he said, calmly, 'I went the other direction
instead of the usual way, as it was the shortest route to the place
I was stopping at.'
'The "Wattle Tree", ye ken, Madame,' interposed McIntosh.
'I had something to eat there,' pursued Vandeloup, 'and then went to
the theatre. Your husband came in towards the end of the performance
and sat next to me.'
'Was he all right?' asked Mrs Villiers, eagerly.
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