He opened his lips and pointed to his throat with a horrid gesture, and I shook my head and turned from him--'You can let me have some bedding ?' I murmured hastily, for the sake of saying something, and to escape.
'Of course, Monsieur,' Louis answered.

'I will fetch some.' He went away, thinking doubtless that Clon would stay with me.

But after waiting a minute the porter strode off also with the lanthorn, leaving me to stand in the middle of the damp, dark room and reflect on the position.

It was plain that Clon suspected me.

This prison-like room, with its barred window, at the back of the house, and in the wing farthest from the stables, proved so much.