He came either to bring me aid or to seek mine, with vengeance for his guerdon.

I stood aside, and silently he entered my room and closed the door.
"Quench your taper," he bade me in a husky whisper.
Without hesitation I obeyed him, a strange excitement thrilling me.

For a second we stood in the dark, then another light gleamed as he plucked away the cloak that masked a lanthorn which he had brought with him.

He set the lanthorn on the floor, and held the cloak in his hand, ready at a moment's notice to conceal the light in its folds.

Then pulling me down beside him on the bed, where he had perched himself: "My friend," said he, "it may be that I bring you assistance." "Speak, then," I bade him.