And now, your excellency, I trust you will pardon if I venture the inquiry, what would you have your humble servant do ?" I permitted him to ramble along as he pleased.

Now I had won his pledge I cared little for the nature of his raillery.

While he talked I flung open the great chest upon which I had been sitting, and discovering it packed with clothing, hastily dragged the various articles forth, flinging them into the lower berth, covering the pile with blankets in such a manner that they resembled the sleeping figure of a man.

Then I turned toward him.
"My first order, Monsieur, is that you get in here." "_Sacre_! not I--" There came a quick, firm footstep sounding along the passageway without; then a hand fell heavily upon the latch of the door..