“Careful?” I repeated.  “I don’t quite understand; but I’ll promise all the same.”

She took hold of the lapels of my coat as though to pull me down a little towards her.  I felt my heart beat quickly, for the deep blue light was in her eyes.

“Ah, Capitaine Rotherby,” she said, “you do not understand!  This man Louis—­he is not only what he seems!  I think that he took you to the Cafe des Deux Epingles that night with a purpose.  He thinks, perhaps, that you are in his power, eh, because you did fight with the other man and hurt him badly?  And Louis knows!”

“Please go on,” I said.

“I want you to be careful,” she said.  “If he asks you to do anything for him, be sure that it is something which you ought to do,—­which you may do honorably!  You see, Capitaine Rotherby,” she went on, “Louis and his friends are not men like you.  They are more subtle,—­they have, perhaps, more brain,—­but I do not think that they are honest!  Louis may try to frighten you into becoming like them.  He may try very many inducements,” she went on, looking up at me.  “You must not listen.  You must promise me that you will not listen.”

“I promise with all my heart,” I answered, “that neither Louis nor any one else in the world shall make me do anything which I feel to be dishonorable.”

“Louis is very crafty,” she whispered.  “He may make a thing seem as though it were all right when it is not, you understand?”

“Yes, I understand!” I answered.  “But tell me, how did you get to know so much about Louis?”

“It does not matter—­that,” she answered, a little impatiently.  “I have heard of Louis from others.  I know the sort of man he is.  I think that he will make some proposal to you.  Will you be careful?”

“I promise,” I answered “May I see you again to-day?  Remember,” I pleaded, “that I am staying here only for your sake.  I ought to have gone to Norfolk this afternoon.”

She drew a little sigh.

“I wonder!” she said, half to herself.  “I think, perhaps,—­yes, we will dine together, monsieur, you and I!” she said.  “You must take me somewhere where it is quite quiet—­where no one will see us!”

“Not down in the cafe, then?” I asked smiling.

She held up her hands in horror.

“But no!” she declared.  “If it is possible, let us get away somewhere without Louis knowing.”

“It can be arranged,” I assured her.  “May I come in and see you later on, and you shall tell me where to meet you?”

She thought for a minute.

“At seven o’clock,” she answered.  “Please go away now.  I have a dressmaker coming to see me.”

I turned away, but I had scarcely gone half a dozen paces before she called me back.

“Capitaine Rotherby,” she said, “there is something to tell you.”

I waited expectantly.

“Yes?” I murmured.

She avoided meeting my eyes.