In some way which I did not pause to analyze, I felt perfectly sure that this strange woman could, if she cared to do so, tell me some of the things I ought to know.  She might be here on some errand identical with my own.  Calhoun had sent for her once before.  Whose agent was she now?  I found chairs for us both.

An instant later, summoned in what way I do not know, the old serving-woman again reappeared.  “Wine, Threlka,” said the baroness; “service for two—­you may use this little table.  Monsieur,” she added, turning to me, “I am most happy to make even some slight return for the very gracious entertainment offered me that morning by Mr. Calhoun at his residence.  Such a droll man!  Oh, la! la!”

“Are you his friend, Madam?” I asked bluntly.

“Why should I not be?”

I could frame neither offensive nor defensive art with her.  She mocked me.

In a few moments the weazened old woman was back with cold fowl, wine, napery, silver.

“Will Monsieur carve?” At her nod the old woman filled my glass, after my hostess had tasted of her own.  We had seated ourselves at the table as she spoke.

“Not so bad for a black midnight, eh?” she went on, “—­in a strange town—­and on a strange errand?  And again let me express my approbation of your conduct.”

“If it pleases you, ’tis more than I can say of it for myself,” I began.  “But why?”

“Because you ask no questions.  You take things as they come.  I did not expect you would come to Montreal.”

“Then you know—­but of course, I told you.”

“Have you then no question?” she went on at last.  Her glass stood half full; her wrists rested gently on the table edge, as she leaned back, looking at me with that on her face which he had needed to be wiser than myself, who could have read.

“May I, then?”

“Yes, now you may go on.”

“I thank you.  First, of course, for what reason do you carry the secrets of my government into the stronghold of another government?  Are you the friend of America, or are you a spy upon America?  Are you my friend, or are we to be enemies to-night?”

She flung back her head and laughed delightedly.  “That is a good beginning,” she commented.

“You must, at a guess, have come up by way of the lakes, and by batteau from La Prairie?” I ventured.

She nodded again.  “Of course.  I have been here six days.”

“Indeed?—­you have badly beaten me in our little race.”

She flashed on me a sudden glance.  “Why do you not ask me outright why I am here?”

“Well, then, I do!  I do ask you that.  I ask you how you got access to that meeting to-night—­for I doubt not you were there?”

She gazed at me deliberately again, parting her red lips, again smiling at me.  “What would you have given to have been there yourself?”

“All the treasures those vaults ever held.”