It was a tedious business, but progress became more rapid when de Courtois realized that he was in the hands of those who meant well by him.

It was noticeable, too, as his senses returned and the panic glare left his eyes, that his expression changed from one of abject fear to a lowering look of suspicious uncertainty.

He peered at Steingall and the hotel clerk many times, but gave Curtis and Devar only a perfunctory glance.

Oddly enough, the fact that the two latter were in evening dress seemed to reassure him, and it became evident later that the presence of the clerk led him to regard these strangers as guests in the hotel who had been attracted to his room by the mere accident of propinquity.
His first intelligible words, uttered in broken English, were: "Vat time ees eet ?" "Ten-thirty," said Steingall.
"_Ah, cre nom d'un nom_! I haf to go, queek!" "Where to ?" "No mattaire.

I tank you all to-morrow.