e from under her lashes. "Only this was the sort
of thing I felt I could not deal with alone."

"Naturally not, madame," rejoined the officer, flattered but
embarrassed. "While I am entirely in the dark as to the motives
underlying this gentleman's conduct, I can safely promise that the law
of France will protect you from him."

With another fierce glance in Roger's direction, he turned to go,
making a sign to the _sergent-de-ville_.

"One moment, messieurs! It would give me pleasure to have you partake
of some refreshment before you leave. Aline!" she called, and the maid
appeared instantly from the open door behind. "Aline, show these
officers to the dining-room and ask them to have a glass of port."

"Madame is most kind! With Madame's permission we will drink Madame's
health!"

She flashed a gracious smile at the three who departed, led by Aline.
Roger watched them go, conscious that Therese was regarding him out of
the corners of her eyes. A moment later he felt rather than saw her
withdraw, with a sort of elaborate nonchalance, to her own room once
more.

As on former occasions Roger was revolted by what he considered her
innate vulgarity, but this time he was puzzled as well, unable to
decide whether it covered innocence or guilt. Quite possibly he was
doing her the grossest injustice. In any case he now knew that he had
acted foolishly in trying to restrain her movement. He had been moved
by an impulse and regretted it. Until he had more trustworthy
information he could do nothing whatever, take no step against either
her or the doctor. It was lucky for him, indeed, that the latter had
not seen fit to inform the police of the threat used against him. The
fat would have been in the fire then and no mistake. Why had the
fellow kept quiet? It argued against him, although perhaps he
considered that even an unsubstantiated charge would do no good to a
professional man.... Therese, too, had carefully avoided giving any
details of the affair, for which he was heartily thankful. For a
moment he had been paralysed by the dread lest the whole business
concerning Esther should be dragged into the open. It was not a matter
for the public yet, and might never be.

More and more did it become difficult to know what course to pursue.
Yet some bulldog instinct within him made him unwilling to relinquish
his watch over the two people concerned.

Two things he was determined Therese should not do. One