The lads' bowls and spoons stood on the table, the great roll of brown bread lay beside them, and a book, probably Claude's, lay face downwards on the board.

The door of one of the bedrooms stood open.

The Syndic's suspicious gaze halted at the closed door.

He pointed to it.
Louis shook his head; then, seeing that this was not enough, "There is no one there," he whispered.

"But I cannot tell you here.