He lighted his pipe, and for a few moments stood with his back to the crackling fire, listening and waiting.

Through the thick walls no sound came to him.
Once he thought that he heard the closing of a distant door.

Even the night was strangely silent, and he walked to the one large window in his room and stared out into the darkness.

On this side the edge of the forest was not far away, for he could hear the soughing of the wind in the treetops.
For an hour he waited with growing impatience for Jean's return or some word from Josephine.

At last there came another knock at the door.