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. Now was my time. I took a hundred-franc note out of my pocket and held it in my hand so that he could see the figures on it. I hoped that he would not be exorbitant, for I had but one more and some loose napoleons in my pocket. "What was the conversation about?" I asked. He put out his hand for the note; but I kept my grasp on it. Honesty was not written large--no, nor plain to read--on Bontet's fat face. "I heard little of it; but the young lady said, as they hurried upstairs: 'Where is he? Where is he?'" "Yes, yes!" And I held out the note to him. He had earned it. And greedily he clutched it, and stowed it in his breeches pocket under his blouse. "I heard no more; they hurried her up; the old lady had her by one arm and the duke by the other. She looked distressed--why, I know not; for I suppose"--here a sly grin spread over the fellow's face--"that the pretty present I saw is for her." "It's the property of the duke," I said. "But gentlemen sometimes make presents to ladies," he suggested. "It may be his purpose to do so. Bontet, I want to see the young lady." He laughed insolently, kicking his toe against the wall. "What use, unless you have a better present, sir? But it's nothing to me. If you can manage it, you're welcome." "But how am I to manage it? Come, earn your money, and perhaps you'll earn more."