"Very well," he said.

"But it is raining, and I have no great wish to--Hush! What is that ?" He raised his hand in the attitude of one listening and his eyes sought his companion's.

"What is that?
Did you not hear something--like a scream upstairs ?" "I hear something like a fool downstairs!" Claude retorted gruffly.
"But it was--I certainly heard something!" Louis persisted, raising his hand again.

"It sounded----" "If we are to go, let us go!" Claude cried with temper.

"Come, if you want me to go! It is not my expedition," he continued, moving noisily hither and thither in search of his staff and cloak.