On the whole, Hilliard decided, it would be better not to tell him.
Let them once get away from the neighborhood, and he could share his
discoveries and they could together decide what was to be done. But
first, to get away.

Accordingly next morning he broached the subject. He had expected
his friend would strenuously oppose any plan involving separation
from Madeleine Coburn, but to his relief Merriman immediately agreed
with him.

"I've been thinking we ought to clear out too," he declared
ungrammatically. "It's not good enough to be accepting continuous
hospitality which you can't return."

Hilliard assented carelessly, remarked that if they started the
following morning they could reach the Riviera by the following
Friday, and let it go at that. He did not refer again to the subject
until they reached the Coburns' door, when he asked quickly: "By the
way, will you tell them we're leaving tomorrow or shall I?"

"I will," said Merriman, to his relief.

The Girondin was loading props as they set out in the Ford car, and
the work was still in progress on their return in the late afternoon.
Mr. Coburn had excused himself from joining the party on the ground
of business, but Captain Beamish had taken his place, and had proved
himself a surprisingly entertaining companion. At the old chateau
they had a pleasant alfresco lunch, after which Captain Beamish took
a number of photographs of the party with his pocket Kodak.