I talked with him for some five minutes perhaps.
He certainly gave me a piece of very startling news.

Then the Baron took me aside nervously to praise him up to me, and when I turned round again I discovered that the fellow had vanished like a ghost.

Got up and sneaked out down some back stairs, I suppose.

There was no time to run after him, as I had to hurry off after the Ambassador down the great staircase, and see the party started safe for the opera.

However, I acted upon the information that very night.