Their reason for doing so at this hour was that they wished to lay in a stock of provisions, as they did not intend to enter Coutances until late at night; when they hoped to be able to get hold of a boat, at once.
They had just made their purchases when they met a fat little man, with a red sash--which showed him to be the Maire of the place, or some other public functionary.
"Where are you going, and what ship do you belong to ?" he asked pompously.
"We are sailors on our way from Saint Malo to Cherbourg," Terence replied.
"You have papers, of course ?" "Of course, Monsieur le Maire." "I must see them," the Maire said.

"Come with me to my house, close by." There were several persons near, and a man in civil uniform was with the Maire.

Therefore Terence gave an apparently willing assent and, followed by the functionary, they went into a house close by.
A lamp was burning on the table in the hall.
"Light these candles in my office," the Maire said.

"The women have gone up to bed." The man turned a key, went in and, bringing out two candles, lighted them at the lamp; and they then went into the room.

The Maire seated himself in an armchair at the table.