Whence came this courier?
Why had not that fool Fortunio asked him, so that Garnache might have overheard his answer?
Was he from Paris and the Queen, or was he, perchance, from Italy and Florimond?
These were questions to which it imported him to have the answers.

He must know what letters the fellow brought.

The knowledge might guide him now; might even cause him to alter the plans he had formed.
He stood in thought whilst, unheeded by him, Arsenio prattled at his elbow.

He bethought him of the old minstrel's gallery at the end of the hall in which the Condillacs were dining and whither the courier would be conducted.

He knew the way to that gallery, for he had made a very close study of the chateau against the time when he might find himself in need of the knowledge.
With a hurried excuse to Arsenio he moved away, and, looking round to see that he was unobserved, he was on the point of making his way to the gallery when suddenly he checked himself.