d begun, and although I
had been the means of saving his life this morning I was determined to
put it to the last issue rather than see myself defeated in this matter
by him.

Mademoiselle would at any rate find that if I were a gaoler I was one
who looked well after his charge. So I gave instructions to Pierrebon
to take my place in the room, and on no account to stir forth unless I
called him. I further added that if anyone came to the door he should
pretend to be sleeping heavily. With this I took my drawn sword in my
hand and stepped softly into the passage. On reaching the room where
we had supped I found it apparently deserted, the only light being from
a lantern which burnt dimly on the dining-table. The shadow of the
stairway leading above fell athwart the room, and as I looked
cautiously around the clock in the hall beyond struck eleven. I waited
patiently for any sign of movement or life; but there was none.
Satisfied at last that I was alone I stepped forward, and made my way
quickly but noiselessly to the stair. Beneath this there was room
enough to stand, and hidden by the darkness, the overhanging stair, and
the angle of the wall I was perfectly concealed. Here I determined to
watch, through the night if need be. The discovery that this stairway
was the only passage from above strengthened my position greatly, for
unless mademoiselle were possessed of wings, and it had not come to
that as yet, she would have to pass this way, and then I hoped to be
able to persuade her how rash and useless her attempt was.

The minutes dragged on like hours, as they always do in affairs of this
nature. I chafed at the restraint of my position, and had no intention
of acting the eavesdropper longer than I could help it, but for the
moment I was forced to lie in ambush. All was quiet and still, so
still that some mice came out, and sought for such crumbs as they could
find on the floor around the dining-table. Suddenly there came the
sound of footsteps along the passage. In a flash the mice had
vanished, and two men entered the room. They were the landlord and De
Ganache, the latter booted and spurred and wearing the hat that was
lent to him, or rather given to him, this morning. He sat down on a
chair at the dining-table, and placed his hat beside him, running his
fingers through the red plumes.

"_Eh bien_," he said, with a laugh, "Monsieur there sleeps soundly. It
will be a great awakening in the mornin