"Whose machinery were they working on at Cambrai?" asked M. Vulfran.
"It was for the M. M. and E. Aveline and Company."
The question was put and the reply was given in English, but Perrine hesitated.
"Why do you hesitate?" asked M. Vulfran, impatiently.
"Because it's a word used in the business that I don't know," answered Perrine, timidly.
"That's all right," said M. Vulfran. He repeated the word in English, but with quite a different accent from the English mechanics, which explains why he had not understood them when they had spoken the words.
"You see that Aveline and Company are ahead of us," he said, turning to his manager. "We have no time to lose. I am going to cable to Fabry to return at once; but while waiting we must persuade these young men to get to work. Ask them what they are standing there for, little girl."
She translated the question, and the one who seemed to be the chief gave her a long answer.
"They are saying some things that are very difficult for me to understand."
"They say that the floor is not strong enough to hold their machine, which weighs...."
She stopped to question the workmen in English, who told her the weight.
"Ah, that is it, is it?" said M. Vulfran.
"And when the machine is started going its weight will break the flooring," she continued, turning to M. Vulfran.
"The beams are sixty centimetres in width."
She told the men what M. Vulfran said, listened to their reply, then continued:
"They say that they have examined the flooring, and that it is not safe for this machine. They want a thorough test made and strong supports placed under the floor."
"The supports can be placed there at once, and when Fabry returns a thorough examination will be made. Tell them that. Let them get to work without losing a moment. They can have all the workmen they need ... carpenters and masons, millwrights. They have only to tell you. You have to be at their service, and then you tell Monsieur Benoist what they require."
She translated these instructions to the men, who appeared satisfied when she told them that she was to stay and interpret for them.
"You will stay here," continued M. Vulfran. "Your food will be given to you and also a lodging at the inn. You will have nothing to pay there. And if we are pleased with you, you will receive something extra when Monsieur Fabry returns."