"True. And he did so," said the secret agent, nodding emphatically. "But already Legrand and this José had made what you Americans would call 'a killing,' yes?" Ruth nodded, smiling. "They got away with the money. But we are not allowing Madame Mantel, as she calls herself----"
"Name of a name!" ejaculated the man in disgust. "I should say not. She is Rosa Bonnet, who married an American crook four years ago and went to the United States. He was shot, I understand, in an attempt of his gang to rob a bank in one of your Western States."
"Oh! And she came East and entered into our Red Cross work. How dreadful!"
"Rosa is a sharp woman. We believe she has done work for _les Boches_. But then," he added, "we believe that of every crook we capture now."
"But yes, Mademoiselle," he said good-naturedly. "At least the police of Lyse were about to gather her in as I left this afternoon to come over here. But the men----"
"Oh, Monsieur!" cried Ruth, with clasped hands, "they have been in this neighborhood only to-day."
He shot in a quick: "How do you know that, Mademoiselle Fielding?"
She told him of the French girl's visit and of what Henriette had said of seeing Legrand, the Mexican and Bessie riding away in a motor-car from the chateau.
"To be trusted, this girl? This Mademoiselle Dupay?"
"The scoundrels! They slip through our fingers at every turn. But we will have them yet. Surely they cannot escape us for long. There are too many looking for them--both of the secret police and of the army."
"Then the woman, too! The old woman and that José may only be related. Perhaps she has nothing to do with--with----"
"With what, Mademoiselle?" he asked, smiling across the table at her, and that grimly.
"Is there not spying, too? Don't you think these people are in communication with the Germans?"
"Could you expect me to answer that query, Mademoiselle?" he returned, his eyes suddenly twinkling. "But, yes! I see you are vitally interested. And you have heard this old wives' tale of the werwolf."
He quite startled her then, for she had said nothing of that in her letter to the Lyse prefect of police.
"Some matters must be cleared up. You may be able to help, Mademoiselle. I have come to ask you to make a call with me."