“Of M. de Guiche I cannot give you either good or bad news, for I have not seen him; but as far as concerns your room and a stable, that’s another matter, for they have been retained here for you.” “Retained--and by whom?” “By yourself, I presume.” “By _me?_” “Do you mean to say you did not take lodgings here?” “By no means,” said Manicamp. At this moment the landlord appeared on the threshold of the door. “I want a room,” said Manicamp. “Did you engage one, monsieur?” “No.” “Then I have no rooms to let.” “In that case, I have engaged a room,” said Manicamp. “A room simply, or lodgings?” “Anything you please.” “By letter?” inquired the landlord. Malicorne nodded affirmatively to Manicamp. “Of course by letter,” said Manicamp. “Did you not receive a letter from me?” “What was the date of the letter?” inquired the host, in whom Manicamp’s hesitation had aroused some suspicion. Manicamp rubbed his ear, and looked up at Malicorne’s window; but Malicorne had left his window and was coming down the stairs to his friend’s assistance. At the very same moment, a traveler, wrapped in a large Spanish cloak, appeared at the porch, near enough to hear the conversation. “I ask you what was the date of the letter you wrote to me to retain apartments here?” repeated the landlord, pressing the question. “Last Wednesday was the date,” said the mysterious stranger, in a soft and polished tone of voice, touching the landlord on the shoulder. Manicamp drew back, and it was now Malicorne’s turn, who appeared on the threshold, to scratch his ear. The landlord saluted the new arrival as a man who recognizes his true guest. “Monsieur,” he said to him, with civility, “your apartment is ready for you, and the stables too, only--” He looked round him and inquired, “Your horses?” “My horses may or may not arrive. That, however, matters but little to you, provided you are paid for what has been engaged.” The landlord bowed lower still. “You have,” continued the unknown traveler, “kept for me in addition, the small room I asked for?” “Oh!” said Malicorne, endeavoring to hide himself. “Your friend has occupied it during the last week,” said the landlord, pointing to Malicorne, who was trying to make himself as small as possible. The traveler, drawing his cloak round him so as to cover the lower part of his face, cast a rapid glance at Malicorne, and said, “This gentleman is no friend of mine.” The landlord started violently. “I am not acquainted with this gentleman,” continued the traveler. “What!” exclaimed the host, turning to Malicorne, “are you not this gentleman’s friend, then?” “What does it matter whether I am or not, provided you are paid?” said Malicorne, parodying the stranger’s remark in a very majestic manner.