[Bardelys the Magnificent by Rafael Sabatini]@TWC D-Link bookBardelys the Magnificent CHAPTER X 1/21
CHAPTER X.THE RISEN DEAD. It was close upon ten o'clock as we rode into the yard of the imposing Hotel de la Couronne at Grenade. Castelroux engaged a private room on the first floor--a handsome chamber overlooking the courtyard--and in answer to the inquiries that I made I was informed by the landlord that Monsieur de Marsac was not yet arrived. "My assignation was 'before noon,' Monsieur de Castelroux," said I. "With your permission, I would wait until noon." He made no difficulty.
Two hours were of no account.
We had all risen very early, and he was, himself, he said, entitled to some rest. Whilst I stood by the window it came to pass than a very tall, indifferently apparelled gentleman issued from the hostelry and halted for some moments in conversation with the ostler below.
He walked with an enfeebled step, and leaned heavily for support upon a stout cane.
As he turned to reenter the inn I had a glimpse of a face woefully pale, about which, as about the man's whole figure, there was a something that was familiar--a something that puzzled me, and on which my mind was still dwelling when presently I sat down to breakfast with Castelroux. It may have been a half-hour later, and, our meal being at an end, we were sitting talking--I growing impatient the while that this Monsieur de Marsac should keep me waiting so--when of a sudden the rattle of hoofs drew me once more to the window.
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