I thought about leaving. It looked to me as though my best bet would be to go over the wall after dark and head for the cover of the trees. I had the impression that the line of trees and the road converged to the west, so perhaps I could regain the road at a distance from the house, and follow it into the city. I went back to my room to wait. It was almost dinner time when I heard someone approaching my door. I was lying down, so I stayed where I was and waited. Gaston entered with the doctor. The doctor was pale, and perspiring heavily. He avoided my eyes as he drew out a chair, sat down and started his examination. He said nothing to me, ignoring the questions I asked him. I gave up and lay silently while he prodded and poked. After a while he rose suddenly, packed up his kit, and walked out. "What's the matter with the doc, Gaston?" I asked. "He's got something on his mind," Gaston said. Even Gaston seemed subdued. Something was up; something that worried me. "Come on, Gaston," I said. "What's going on?" At first I thought he wasn't going to answer me. "They're going to do like you wanted," he said. "They're getting ready to put you in for Bayard." "That's fine," I said. That was what I had come here for. This way was as good as any. But there was something about it. "Why all the secrecy?" I asked. "Why doesn't the Big Boss show himself? I'd like to talk to him." Gaston hesitated. I had the feeling he wanted to say more, but couldn't. "They got a few details to fix yet," he said. He didn't look at me. I let it go at that. After Gaston left the room, I went out into the hall. Through the open back windows I heard the sound of conversation. I moved over to eavesdrop. There were three men, strolling out into the garden with their backs to me. One was the doctor; I didn't recognize the other two. I wished I could see their faces. "It was not for this I was trained," the doctor was saying. He waved his hands in an agitated way. "I'm not a butcher, to cut up a side of mutton for you." I couldn't make out the reply. I went down to the landing and listened. All was quiet. I descended to the hall on the ground floor, listened again. Somewhere a clock was ticking. I went into the main dining room; the table was set for three, but no food was in sight. I tried the other dining room; nothing. I went across and eased the parlor door open. There was no one there; it looked as unused as ever. I passed the door I had found locked once before and noticed light under it. I stepped back and tried it. It was probably a broom closet, I thought as I turned the knob. It opened.