"To be entirely honest," Pierre replies, "I have not got the faintest idea who they are. I thought at first it was a misplaced circus performer and his pet ape, but then the ape bit me and I am advised not to say anything else about the matter."
He looks edgy.
"I thought I was going to be robbed, but as I have nothing to steal but my life, perhaps they intend to take you instead."
His warning is remarkably unsympathetic -- mostly hypothezising in a sort of whiny tone.
Carrick scruffs the Frenchman's scarecrow hair. "We," the Imperial says, "happened upon your communications and thought we'd lend a hand."
Pinion's addition to the conversation is to look straight at Boots and echo her non-human sounds exactly as she made them.