He kept beside him for a hundred yards or so, then passed something into the slave's hand, and turned abruptly down a side opening.

There were but few people about, and in the growing darkness the action of the man passed unobserved by the overseers.

Gervaise, thinking the occurrence a strange one, turned down the same lane as the man.
He slackened his pace until the latter was fifty yards ahead, so that he would not, had he looked round, have been able to perceive that it was a knight who was behind him.

After passing through several streets, the man turned into a refreshment house.

The door stood open, and as the place was brightly lit up, Gervaise, pausing outside, was able to see what was going on inside.