Certainly the young man who had departed so hurriedly had said it was Madame Royaume's.

There could be no mistake.
Well, he would go and come again.

But even as he formed the resolution, and turned towards the outer door--which he had left open--he heard a faint sound above, a step light but slow.

It seemed to start from the uppermost floor of all, so long was it in descending; so long was it before, waiting on the hearth cap in hand, he saw a shadow darken the line below the staircase door.

A second later the door opened and a young girl entered and closed it behind her.