epossessing place, yet much better than those I
had seen along the road from Dieppe.

The host well deserved Serigny's appellation of a churl, for he looked
suspiciously at me, and when I asked for de Greville replied he knew
nothing of him. I could get no satisfaction from him, so I determined
to take up my abode and wait. In I went and heeded not the surly host
who regarded me askance.

The small public room was vacant, and I possessed myself of it with the
settled air of a man who has come to stay. Verily the fire felt most
grateful, and it did me much comfort to stretch as I listed, after the
tedious confinement of the coach. Mine host busied himself about
mending the fire, but whenever I raised my eyes I caught his gaze fixed
doubtingly upon me. Evidently the man knew more than he told, and I
planned to test his loyalty.

"Here, my good man," I called to him, "dost know anything of this
Jerome de Greville? Where is he?"

"By our Lady, noble sir, I know him not. Paris is a great city, and
many noble gentlemen come and go at their will."

"But M. de Greville lodges with you, I am told. My business is urgent."

"I do not recall such a name? Jerome de Greville?" and the rascal
turned his eyes to the ceiling in the attitude of deep contemplation.
I smiled inwardly.

"If it please you, sir, to write your name in my guest book, should
Monsieur de Greville call I will show it him. You may tell me where
you can be found."

He fetched out a worn and greasy book from a chest in the rear, and
handed me a pen, watching, as I thought, with some interest, what name
I would write, though I much questioned if he could read it. I pushed
the book aside.

"Oh, it matters not, my name; it is an obscure one, and M. de Greville
would not recall it. See here my good fellow, here is a gold piece to
aid thy memory. At what hour will M. de Greville return?"

He took the coin, and turning it over and over in his palm, said, as if
to it:

"If Monsieur will write a note and leave it, I will send to other inns
and see if such a man be in Paris. Monsieur is of Gascony?" he
ventured.

The Gascons were at this time regarded with distrust, it was such an
easy matter for them to carry news into Spain, being on the border.

I soon found there was nothing to be gained from the fellow, and
becoming convinced of his steadfastness was willing he should keep the
coin as earnest money for future services. De Greville not comi