Montpellier."

"A rascally chauffeur from Paris, a few low characters of the
department. Since the war things are not as they were."

"That is the very reason why I suggest, madame--"

"But, monsieur, I assure you all my life I have lived at Montalais.
Monsieur le curé will tell you I know every face hereabouts. And I know
that these poor country-folk, these good-natured dolts of peasants have
not the imagination, much less the courage--"

"But what of criminals from outside, from the great cities, from London
and Paris and Berlin? They have the imagination, the courage, the
skill; and if they ever get wind of the fortune Madame de Montalais
keeps locked up here..."

"What of the Lone Wolf?" the Comtesse de Lorgnes added. "I have heard
that one is once more in France."

Duchemin blinked incredulously at the speaker. "But when did you hear
that, madame la comtesse?"

"Quite recently, monsieur."

"I had understood that the monsieur in question had long since
retired."

"Only for the duration of the war, monsieur, I am afraid."