Gaubert turned at his approach, and smiled.

Marius looked up quickly; then made a sign to the men.

Instantly two of them went out by the door they guarded, and ere it swung back again Rabecque saw that they were making for the stairs.

The remaining four ranged themselves shoulder to shoulder across the doorway, plainly with intent to bar the way.
Gaubert, followed immediately by Marius, stepped aside and approached the landlord with arms akimbo and a truculent smile on his pale hawk face.

What he and Marius said, Rabecque could not make out, but he distinctly heard the landlord's answer delivered with a respectful bow to Marius: "Bien, Monsieur de Condillac.