ght again have need of it. He has paid for it
until the fifteenth."

My heart leaped at the name. I saw that I must take the bull by the
horns--assume a bold front; for if they waited to consult my pursuer,
I should never gain the information I was seeking.

"It was through Monsieur Bethune that I secured your address," I said
boldly. "He was taken ill this morning; his heart, you know," and I
tapped my chest.

They nodded, looking at me, nevertheless, with eyes narrow with
suspicion.

"Yes, monsieur, we know," said Jourdain. "The authorities at the
hospital at once notified us."

"It is not the first attack," I asserted, with a temerity born of
necessity. "He has had others, but none so serious as this."

They nodded sympathetically. Plainly they had been considerably
impressed by their lodger.

"So," I continued brazenly, "he knows at last that his condition is
very bad, and he wishes to remain at the hospital for some days until
he has quite recovered. In the meantime, I am to have the second floor
back, which was occupied by the ladies."

I spoke the last word with seeming nonchalance, without the quiver of
a lash, though I was inwardly a-quake; for I was risking everything
upon it. Then, in an instant I breathed more freely. I saw that I had
hit the mark, and that their suspicions were gradually growing less.

"They, of course, are not coming back," I added; "at least, not for a
long time; so he has no further use for the room. This is the
fourteenth--I can take possession to-morrow."

They exchanged a glance, and Madame Jourdain arose.

"Very well, monsieur," she said. "Will you have the kindness to come
and look at the room?"

I followed her up the stair, giddy at my good fortune. She opened a
door and lighted a gas-jet against the wall.

"I am sure you will like the apartment, monsieur," she said. "You see,
it is a very large one and most comfortable."

It was, indeed, of good size and well furnished. The bed was in a kind
of alcove, and beyond it was a bath--unlooked-for luxury! One thing,
however, struck me as peculiar. The windows were closed by heavy
shutters, which were barred upon the inside, and the bars were secured
in place by padlocks.

"I shall want to open the windows," I remarked. "Do you always keep
them barred?"

She hesitated a moment, looking a little embarrassed.

"You see, monsieur, it is this way," she explained, at last. "Monsieur
Bethune himself had the locks put on;