His manner was quite charming, yet his presence there was always puzzling, and had given rise to considerable speculation.
Hill came in, and after helping the Frenchman to take off his heavy leather-lined travelling-coat, laid a small table for two and prepared breakfast.
Then, when he had served it and left, Goslin rose, and, crossing to the door, pushed the little brass bolt into its socket.

Returning to his chair opposite the blind man (whose food Hill had already cut up for him), he exclaimed in a very calm, serious voice, speaking in French, "I want you to hear what I have to say, Sir Henry, without exciting yourself unduly.

Something has occurred--something very strange and remarkable." The other dropped his knife, and sat statuesque and expressionless.

"Go on," he said hoarsely.

"Tell me the worst at once." "The worst has not yet happened.