“I never did.”

“And found her⁠—”

“I never did.”

“ Ah, sacré! ”

He turned on her in a rage and shouted at her, so that she cowered back before him.

“Will you lie to me? I tell you I know what happened as well as though I had been there. You went into her compartment and you found her dead. I tell you I know it. To lie to me is dangerous. Be careful, Mademoiselle Mirelle.”

Her eyes wavered beneath his gaze and fell.

“I⁠—I didn’t⁠—” she began uncertainly and stopped.