A thick, drizzling rain was falling, which had wet him to the skin, and which seemed to be keeping every one within doors.

He found the door of his old lodging unlocked and the place empty, save for a little firing in a closet, which he soon kindled into a warming blaze.
He had bought food at midday in a hamlet through which he passed, and there was enough left in his wallet to provide him with a frugal supper.

He dried his clothes at the friendly warmth of the fire, and though the room was destitute of bedding, there were a few sacks on the floor.

Laying himself down upon these before the fire, he was soon plunged in a deep and dreamless slumber.
How long he slept he never could have guessed.

He afterwards knew that it was midnight when he woke.