In the excitement attendant in my scuffle with d'Ayen and the subsequent events, ending in my escape from the clutches of the watch, I had for the moment clean forgot Ravaillac's fit of frenzy. I slept profoundly, and towards morning was half awakened by an uneasy feeling that there was someone in the room. This passed away; but a short time after I awoke with a start, and looking around saw Ravaillac bending over some of my things which were lying in a corner of the room. As I looked at him the full recollection of his strange behaviour came back to me, and, a slight movement on my part attracting his attention, he bade me a civil good-morning. He made no mention, however, of his illness, nor did he excuse himself in any way, but set about his duties in a quiet, cat-like manner. Whilst he moved softly about, I began to piece together the noise of the stumble I had heard outside my door when about to set out with Palin, with Madame Pantin's warning and the scene in the loft. It struck me that his seizure might after all be a blind, and I determined to question the man, and, by watching the play of his features and noting his manner of reply, try and discover if there was anything to show that my idea was correct. Pretending, therefore, to be unaware of what had passed, I asked: 'How was it you were not in to receive me last night, Ravaillac?' There was a quick up-and-down movement of the long grey eyes, and he answered: 'I was ill, monsieur; I trust Monsieur le Chevalier is not hurt?' 'Hurt! Why should I be?' 'Monsieur will pardon me, but I thought it possible.' 'How so?' 'Monsieur's clothes were dripping wet when I first came in, and his rapier stained full six inches from the point when I drew it out of its sheath to clean it this morning. It looked like an arm-thrust, and I thought----' 'Never mind what you thought. I had a slight affair last night, but was not hurt.' It was clear to me that he was trying to carry the war into my country, as it were, by counter-questions to mine. I therefore cut him short, and added: 'Your illness came and went very suddenly. Are you often taken that way?' 'Then Monsieur knows----' 'A great many things, perhaps; but kindly answer my question.' It may have been fancy or not; but it seemed to me that, as once before, I saw the wraith of a smile flit stealthily along his thin lips. He was standing in front of me, holding my rapier, and his eyes were bent down on the polished steel hilt as I spoke. At first he made no answer, and I repeated my question. This time he looked me full in the face, and the whole expression of the man changed--his cheeks paled, his eyes dilated, his voice took a shrill pitch.