So, after thanking the lady for her kindness and paying for the cigarettes, I asked the boy, who was waiting for his franc, to show me to the other lodging-house close by.
"Oh, sir," said the proprietress of this establishment, "don't go there! It's a bad house; it really is! The lodgers are bad men, and they are bad people." She said this evidently in earnest, while the little girl behind the counter hoped I should not go among those thieves.
I was not displeased at this.

I did not think Kaffar would be very particular as to his society, and he would be more likely to stay at this disreputable place than in a respectable lodging-house.
Accordingly, I told the good lady that I should not take lodgings there, and, if I took apartments in any place in the city, hers should have the first consideration.

This considerably mollified her, so my guide proceeded to lead the way to the other lodging-house.

This was also a tobacconist's shop, but a dirty old woman stood behind the counter.

She was very polite, however, and quickly called down the proprietor of the establishment.
This was a lodging-house, was it not?
He assured me that my surmise was correct, and forthwith began to enumerate the advantages received by those who were fortunate enough to be received as lodgers.
"Have you many lodgers at present ?" I asked.
"Five," was the reply.
My heart began to beat violently now, for I felt I was near the time when my labours would be rewarded by success, or I should have to give up my search in despair.
"Are they all Europeans ?" I asked.
"No.