"You see," he added, pointing to the clock, "it is now ten o'clock.

In one hour monsieur should be there.

I have ordered whiskey and soda to be put in the room." "Shall I see anything of you, Louis ?" I asked.
"It is not possible, monsieur," he answered.

"I must be here until half-past twelve or one o'clock to attend to my supper guests." I leaned back in my chair and laughed silently.

It seemed to me a strange thing to speak so calmly of the service of the restaurant, while upstairs I was to lie quiet, my senses strained all the time, and the chances of life and death dependent, perhaps, on the quickness of my right arm, or some chance inspiration.