"It will be better.

She will have retired and be locked in her room long before it will be necessary for you to ascend." "Very well," I said.

"But now for the practical side of it.

If anything really happens, what is to be my excuse for occupying those apartments to-night ?" "I will provide you with a sufficient one later on," Louis promised.

"You will dine downstairs ?" "Possibly," I answered.
"In which case we can have a little conversation," Louis remarked.
"Louis," I said, "what sort of an affair is this, really, in which I am mixing myself up?
Am I one of a gang of magnificent criminals, a political conspirator, or a fool ?" Louis smiled.
"Monsieur," he said, "I found you very weary of life.