“Does Monsieur apprehend an attack?”

“I scarcely know, Antoine.  But things have come about too easily.  We find here a furnished hotel waiting for us.  I’ve no doubt that the kitchens of the Hotel de l’Europe are well stocked, and we have all the comforts, even the luxuries sufficient for a hundred guests.  So far as we know there is not a soul in all this town save our four selves.  It doesn’t look natural, my good Antoine.  It’s positively uncanny.”

“But, sir, if what we want is here waiting for us, why shouldn’t we take it?”

“That’s true, wise Antoine.  ’Take the goods the gods provide thee whilst the lovely Thais sits beside thee,’ as Mr. Dryden said.”

“Who is Mr. Dryden?  Must I infer, sir, from his name, that he is one of our brave English allies?”

“Doubtless he would be if he were living, but he has been dead some time, Antoine.”

“Alas, sir, the way of all flesh!”

“So it is, Antoine, but I refuse to grieve about it or get morbid over it.  I like to live and living I mean to live.  What do you think of this big room, Antoine?  It has two beds in it, one for you and one for me, and it’s near enough to hear any call from the suite, occupied by Mademoiselle Julie and your daughter.”

“A wise precaution.  Monsieur Scott thinks of everything.”

“No, not of everything, Antoine, but the presence of Mademoiselle Lannes is bound to sharpen the wits of anyone who is trying to take care of her.”

“Will you make your toilet here, sir?  I will call Suzanne and we will prepare dinner.  When it is ready we will serve Mademoiselle Lannes and you.”

The stalwart Picard had become all at once the discreet and thoughtful servant, and John felt a sudden sense of restfulness.  Intense democrat that he was, he realized in his moment of weariness that all could not be masters.

“Thank you, Picard,” he said gratefully.  “The afternoon is wearing on and I do need to shake myself up.”

“You’ll find plenty of water in the pitchers, sir, and there are clean towels on the rack.  One would think, sir, that the manager of the Hotel de l’Europe before taking his departure, made careful preparation for our coming.”

“It looks like it, Picard, and it certainly will be true, if you and Suzanne find the well-filled kitchen that you predict.”

“Never a doubt of it, sir.  The perfect condition in which we find everything above-stairs indicates that we shall find the same below.”

He went out, leaving the door open, according to John’s wish, and the young American heard his firm step pass down the hall and to the stairway.  He drew a deep sigh of content, and lying down on a red plush sofa rested for a little while.  It was luck, most wonderful luck, that he had come into Chastel, and had found Julie and her servants, and it was luck, most marvelous luck, that this well-equipped hotel was here waiting for them.