The answer led him to the conclusion that '13 A' occupied the situation in the hotel which had been described by his brother and sister as the situation of '14.' He asked next for the Visitors' List; and found that the French gentleman who then occupied '13 A,' was the proprietor of a theatre in Paris, personally well known to him.

Was the gentleman then in the hotel?
He had gone out, but would certainly return for the table d'hote.

When the public dinner was over, Francis entered the room, and was welcomed by his Parisian colleague, literally, with open arms.

'Come and have a cigar in my room,' said the friendly Frenchman.
'I want to hear whether you have really engaged that woman at Milan or not.' In this easy way, Francis found his opportunity of comparing the interior of the room with the description which he had heard of it at Milan.
Arriving at the door, the Frenchman bethought himself of his travelling companion.

'My scene-painter is here with me,' he said, 'on the look-out for materials.