once for all—­but in the hope of discovering why she had allowed herself to be persuaded into leaving the convent.  Until I knew that, I was a prey to wretched doubts and despondency, which even my deep-seated confidence in her could not overcome.  Fortunately I had a small sum of money in my pocket, and I felt sure that Bontet’s devotion to the duke would not be proof against an adequate bribe:  perhaps he would be able to assist me in eluding the vigilance of Madame Delhasse and obtaining speech with her daughter.

Bontet, detained as I supposed by the duke, had left a kitchen-girl to attend on me; but I soon saw him come out into the yard, carrying a letter in his hand.  He walked slowly across to the stable door, at which the face, suddenly presented and withdrawn, had caught my attention.  He stopped before the door a moment, then the door opened.  I could not see whether he opened it or whether it was unlocked from within, for his burly frame obstructed my view; but the pause was long enough to show that more than the lifting of a latch was necessary.  And that I thought worth notice.  The door closed after Bontet.  I rose, opened my window and listened; but the yard was broad and no sound reached me from the stable.

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.