At last Madame Wachner stopped short before a large wooden door.
'"Ere we are!" she said briskly. "I presume they are expecting you, sir?
If they are not expecting you, they will probably 'ave all gone to bed.
So we will wait, will we not, Ami Fritz, and see this gentleman safe in?
If the worst came to the worst, you could come with us to our villa and
sleep there the night."
"You are awfully kind!" said Chester heartily--and, indeed, he did feel
this entire stranger's kindness exceptional.
How fortunate that Sylvia had come across such a nice, simple, kindly
woman in such a queer place as Lacville!
But Madame Wachner's good-natured proposal had never to be seriously
considered, for when her vigorous hand found and pulled the bell there
came sounds in the courtyard beyond, and a moment later the door swung
open.
"Who's there?" cried M. Malfait in a loud voice.
"It is the English gentleman, Mrs. Bailey's friend," said Madame Wachner
quickly; and at once the Frenchman's voice softened.
"Ah! we had quite given up M'sieur," he said amiably. "Come in, come in!
Yes, the bag has arrived; but people often send their luggage before they
come themselves.
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