She did—­for well-behaved people.

She had no husband?

The Blessed Virgin had taken him home.

And a man did not conduct her business?

Certainly not.  She was a capable woman, able to attend to the wants of her guests, while her daughter was a universal favourite because of politeness to customers and the good tobacco she sold.  Should she have the pleasure of selling me some?

I did not reply except by a smile, which this Italian maiden evidently took for an assent to her mother’s proposition, and accordingly proceeded to make some cigarettes for me.  Meanwhile her mother assured me that her house was convenient and comfortable, and asked permission to show me some vacant rooms, and give me an idea of the attendance I should receive.

I accordingly followed her, and found rooms which, while not altogether according to my English tastes, did her credit.

“Have you many lodgers now?” I asked.

“Four,” was the reply.

“Gentlemen?”

“All gentlemen.”

“Might I ask their nationality?” I said.

“They are all Italian,” was the reply.

My hopes had risen high, but they were by this answer dashed to the ground.  Then I remembered that Simon had described Kaffar as being in a room with a man.  So, after thanking the lady for her kindness and paying for the cigarettes, I asked the boy, who was waiting for his franc, to show me to the other lodging-house close by.

“Oh, sir,” said the proprietress of this establishment, “don’t go there!  It’s a bad house; it really is!  The lodgers are bad men, and they are bad people.”  She said this evidently in earnest, while the little girl behind the counter hoped I should not go among those thieves.

I was not displeased at this.  I did not think Kaffar would be very particular as to his society, and he would be more likely to stay at this disreputable place than in a respectable lodging-house.

Accordingly, I told the good lady that I should not take lodgings there, and, if I took apartments in any place in the city, hers should have the first consideration.  This considerably mollified her, so my guide proceeded to lead the way to the other lodging-house.  This was also a tobacconist’s shop, but a dirty old woman stood behind the counter.  She was very polite, however, and quickly called down the proprietor of the establishment.

This was a lodging-house, was it not?

He assured me that my surmise was correct, and forthwith began to enumerate the advantages received by those who were fortunate enough to be received as lodgers.

“Have you many lodgers at present?” I asked.

“Five,” was the reply.

My heart began to beat violently now, for I felt I was near the time when my labours would be rewarded by success, or I should have to give up my search in despair.

“Are they all Europeans?” I asked.