Then I considered that the only safe place for me that night was to sit on the floor with my back against the door and my heels against the foot of the bed, which chanced to stand at just the required length.

In this posture, even if I fell asleep, any attempt to force the door would arouse me; and if the door was reasonably sound I could reckon, with my back and feet, on keeping it fast against the four, at any rate for a while.
I had a long time to wait.

They evidently meant to give me time to fall asleep, and themselves, perhaps, time to consume some more of the cognac which my money had provided.

I was indeed almost dozing when my ears caught the sound of an unsteady footstep on the stairs and a whispering of voices below.

Then the footstep stopped outside my door, and a hand cautiously turned the handle.
"The young dog smells a rat," muttered my landlord, with a hickup which gave me some hope.
"True for you, monsieur," replied I, in as good French as I could muster.