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166 I waited there five minutes perhaps. The inn-keeper did not reappear, so I returned to my place. I had finished my meal before he came out. This time I was tolerably sure that the door was closed behind him by another hand, and I fancied that I heard the click of a lock. Also I noticed that the letter was no longer visible—of course, he might have put it in his pocket. Jumping up suddenly as though I had just chanced to notice him, I asked him if he were off to Pontorson, or, if not, had he a moment for conversation.

“I am going in a few minutes, sir,” he answered; “but I am at your service now.”

The words were civil enough, but his manner was surly and suspicious. Lighting a cigarette, I sat down on the window-sill, while he stood just outside.

“I want a bedroom,” said I. “Have you one for me?”

“I have given you the room on the first floor, immediately opposite that of the duke.”

“Good. And where are the ladies lodged?”

He made no difficulty about giving me an answer.

“They have a sitting room on the first floor,” he answered, “but hitherto they have not used it. They have two bedrooms, connected by an interior door, on the second floor, and they have not left them since their arrival.”

“Has the duke visited them there?”

“I don’t think he has seen them. They had a conversation on their arrival;” and the fellow grinned.