Good night, sir!" They left me then without another word.

I heard their footsteps die away along the corridor, the ring of the lift bell, the clatter of its ascent and descent.

Then I undressed and went to bed.
I awoke the next morning rather late, dressed and shaved in my rooms, and descended to the cafe for breakfast.

The waiter who usually served me came hurrying up with a welcoming smile.
"Monsieur Louis," he announced, "returned early this morning." "He is not here now ?" I asked, looking around the room.
The waiter smiled deprecatingly.
"But for the early breakfast, no, sir!" he said.

"Monsieur Louis will come at one o'clock, perhaps,--perhaps not until dinner-time.