man’s scarce adult tones, now high as though with balked passion, now shaken and imploring.  I was for leaving the place at once, but Nick clutched my arm tightly; and suddenly, as I stood undecided, the voices ceased entirely, there were the sounds of a scuffle, and the lattice of the gallery was flung open.  In the all but darkness we saw a figure climb over the railing, hang suspended for an instant, and drop lightly to the ground.  Then came the light relief of a woman’s gown in the opening of the lattice, the cry “Auguste, Auguste!” the wicket in the gate opened and slammed, and a man ran at top speed along the banquette towards the levee.

Instinctively I seized Nick by the arm as he started out of the doorway.

“Let me go,” he cried angrily, “let me go, Davy.”

But I held on.

“Are you mad?” I said.

He did not answer, but twisted and struggled, and before I knew what he was doing he had pushed me off the stone step into a tangle of blackened beams behind.  I dropped his arm to save myself, and it was mere good fortune that I did not break an ankle in the fall.  When I had gained the step again he was gone after the man, and a portly citizen stood in front of me, looking into the doorway.

“Qu’est-ce-qu’il-y-a la dedans?” he demanded sharply.

It was a sufficiently embarrassing situation.  I put on a bold front, however, and not deigning to answer, pushed past him and walked with as much leisure as possible along the banquette in the direction which Nick had taken.  As I turned the corner I glanced over my shoulder, and in the darkness I could just make out the man standing where I had left him.  In great uneasiness I pursued my way, my imagination summing up for Nick all kinds of adventures with disagreeable consequences.  I walked for some time—­it may have been half an hour—­aimlessly, and finally decided it would be best to go back to Madame Bouvet’s and await the issue with as much calmness as possible.  He might not, after all, have caught the fellow.

There were few people in the dark streets, but at length I met a man who gave me directions, and presently found my way back to my lodging place.  Talk and laughter floated through the latticed windows into the street, and when I had pushed back the curtain and looked into the saloon I found the same gaming party at the end of it, sitting in their shirt-sleeves amidst the moths and insects that hovered around the candles.

“Ah, Monsieur,” said Madame Bouvet’s voice behind me, “you must excuse them.  They will come here and play, the young gentlemen, and I cannot find it in my heart to drive them away, though sometimes I lose a respectable lodger by their noise.  But, after all, what would you?” she added with a shrug; “I love them, the young men.  But, Monsieur,” she cried, “you have had no supper!  And where is Monsieur your companion?  Comme il est beau garcon!”

“He will be in presently,” I answered with unwarranted assumption.