What could I do? Her coming gave little chance to her and robbed me of almost all prospect of escape. But of course I could not leave her. ‘You must come if you can see no other way,’ said I. ‘Why, what other is there? If I avoid him he will see I suspect him. If I appear to trust him, I must put myself in his power.’ ‘Then we must go,’ said I. ‘But it’s a thousand to one that we don’t get through.’ I had hardly spoken when a voice outside said, ‘Is all well?’ and a heavy step echoed in the verandah. ‘Vlacho!’ she hissed in a whisper. ‘Vlacho! Are you armed?’ ‘In a way,’ said I, with a shrug. ‘But there are at least two besides him. I saw them in the wood.’ ‘Yes, yes, true. There are four generally. It would be death. Here, hide behind the curtains. I’ll try to put him off for the moment. Quick, quick!’ She was hurried and eager, but I saw that her wits were clear. I stepped behind the curtains and she drew them close. I heard her fling herself again on the couch. Then came the innkeeper’s voice, its roughness softened in deferential greeting. At the same time a strong smell of eau de Cologne pervaded the room. ‘Am I well?’ said Madame Stefanopoulos fretfully. ‘My good Vlacho, I am very ill. Should I sit in a dark room and bathe my head with this stuff if I were well?’ ‘My lady’s sickness grieves me beyond expression,’ said Vlacho politely. ‘And the more so because I am come from my Lord Constantine with a message for you.’ ‘It is easier for him to send messages than to come himself,’ she remarked, with an admirable pretence of resentment. ‘Think how occupied he has been with this pestilent Englishman!’ said the plausible Vlacho. ‘We have had no peace. But at last I hope our troubles are over. The house is ours again.’ ‘Ah, you have driven them out?’ ‘They fled themselves,’ said Vlacho. ‘But they are separated and we shall catch them. Oh, yes, we know where to look for most of them.’ ‘Then you’ve not caught any of them yet? How stupid you are!’ ‘My lady is severe. No, we have caught none yet.’ ‘Not even Wheatley himself?’ she asked. ‘Has he shown you a clean pair of heels?’ Vlacho’s voice betrayed irritation as he answered: ‘We shall find him also in time, though heaven knows where the rascal has hidden himself.’ ‘You’re really very stupid,’ said Francesca. I heard her sniff her perfume. ‘And the girl?’ she went on. ‘Oh, we have her safe and sound,’ laughed Vlacho. ‘She’ll give no more trouble.’ ‘Why, what will you do with her?’ ‘You must ask my lord that,’ said Vlacho. ‘If she will give up the island, perhaps nothing.’ ‘Ah, well, I take very little interest in her. Isn’t my husband coming to supper, Vlacho?’ ‘To supper here, my lady? Surely no. The great house is ready now. That is a more fitting place for my lady than this dog-hole. I am here to escort you there. There my lord will sup with you. Oh, it’s a grand house!’ ‘A grand house!’ she echoed scornfully. ‘Why, what is there to see in it?’