To my surprise I found that I had been addressing my conversation to the life-sized statue of some saint which was standing on a pedestal at the foot of the stairs.

I rather mystified my host by saying that I had been talking to the image in the hall.

However, in spite of this, he asked me to come upstairs where he would give me a bed.

By this time several of the British officers who occupied the upper flat had become interested in the arrival of the midnight visitor, and were looking over the bannisters.

I can remember feeling that my only chance of receiving hospitality depended on my presenting a respectable appearance.