‘Me, monsieur?’ I said with wide eyes, wondering how far injured innocence would take me.
‘Perhaps it would save us all a lot of time if I told you that we know that you arrived in Paris in the company of this young gentleman on the very night that the king and queen made their escape. A coincidence, perhaps, but I for one do not like coincidences.’
So he knew rather too much for comfort. I would have to think up a plausible story – and quickly.
‘We went our separate ways shortly after arriving, monsieur. I believe the gentleman in question was intending to travel for his education, taking a year away from studies before he went to university. I think he may be heading for Italy.’
‘Really?’ I could tell Bailly did not believe me. ‘We have no record of a young Englishman leaving by any of the city gates. My impression is that he is still in Paris – gone to ground because he knows we have his parents and sister in custody. What I want to know is where is he and what did he have to do with the king’s flight?’
‘Nothing, I’m sure, monsieur,’ I said answering the second part of his question.
Bailly’s eyes narrowed. ‘How can you be so certain?’
‘We got lost on arrival and spent most of that night trying to find my lodgings.’
‘So what was your coach doing by the palace? You were seen by General Lafayette’s attendants when they were doing their inspection. We’ve questioned the driver and he has only a suspiciously hazy recollection of events, but he told us enough to know that you were nowhere near the Opera quarter.’
‘Precisely, monsieur.’ My hands were fluttering so I clasped them behind my back. ‘We were lost.’ My most vacuous smile wreathed my lips.
‘Hmm.’ The mayor tapped a pen on a piece of parchment thoughtfully as he looked at me. I could tell he was trying to work me out.
Please think I’m just an empty-headed ballerina, I urged him silently.
‘I have here a warrant for the young man’s arrest.’ The mayor dipped his quill in the inkpot and signed it. ‘I am giving you the benefit of the doubt, mademoiselle. Whatever your companion was up to that night, I judge that you were ignorant of it.’ He handed the paper to his secretary. ‘However, you should think of yourself as under suspicion. Your behaviour must be exemplary or you will be expelled from France. And if I find you have been hiding anything from me – protecting the young lord for whatever reason – you will be prosecuted. Do you understand?’
‘Oui, monsieur.’
‘That’s all. You may go.’
I turned, half expecting to be escorted off the premises, but not one of them bothered to follow me. Thinking this odd, I made my own way downstairs. I paused in the foyer, hoping my friends had come to fetch me, but there was no one there. I wasn’t sure what to do; it was foolhardy to walk the streets of a city at night, especially a foreign one. Before I had made up my mind, someone collided with me from behind, making me stumble.
‘I’m very sorry, mademoiselle.’ It was Pedro, acting as if he didn’t know me. ‘Are you hurt?’
‘No harm done, sir,’ I said stiffly, trying for disdainful but not sure I carried it off.
‘I believe you dropped this.’ He handed me a piece of folded paper, bowed and walked on out of the building.
Taking a seat in a secluded corner to give the impression I was waiting for someone, I carefully opened the note.
Catkin,
Your remarkable friend J-F says there is a reward out for Frank. He thinks that they called you in with the hope that you’ll lead them to him as you rush to alert him to the danger. It is therefore highly likely that you will be followed – as will anyone you are seen with. We decided it was best that my connection with you was not too publicly demonstrated so I’m sorry that I have not come to fetch you as I said I would. J-F will see you home safely – but from afar, as he says he has a natural antipathy for officialdom and does not want to be brought to their notice. Leave the building and look for him. Keep your distance and he’ll make sure that anyone on your tail soon loses you.
Send me a note with Pedro to say you have got home safely. He’ll wait with Renard for your return.
Johnny.
I folded the note again and tucked it into my bodice. So that was why no one had escorted me to the door: they had wanted me to believe I was free to go and of no further interest. Well, if they wished to follow me that was their lookout. They didn’t stand a chance. J-F and I were about to lead them on a merry dance.