As they approached the small cabin from which the light came, Philippe shouted to awaken the attention of those within; but no answer being returned, he jumped down, and knocked furiously at the door. He heard some whispers for a minute or two, and then a woman’s voice demanded, ‘Who is there?’
‘A traveller, who wants a light,’ cried Philippe, ‘to guide him safely to Bourget. For pity, madame, don’t keep me here much longer, or I must be ungallant, and kick in the door.’
There was evidently another conference within, and then the door was cautiously opened. Philippe entered, and his eyes directly fell upon Exili, whilst the female proved to be a woman who was practising fortune-telling in Paris—it was supposed as a cloak for darker matters—and was known to some of the people, and to the whole of the police, as La Voisin. The physician and the student recognised each other immediately, for they had often met on the carrefours, and each uttered a hurried exclamation of surprise at the rencontre.
‘Monsieur Glazer,’ said Exili, as Philippe took a light from the fire, ‘you have seen me here, and possibly are acquainted with what has taken place in the Quartier Latin this evening.’
‘I know everything,’ replied Glazer.
‘Then I must ask you, on your faith, to keep my secret,’ said Exili. ‘You have discovered me in coming here to serve yourself; but this refuge is to me an affair of life and death. You will not betray me?’
‘You may trust me,’ said Philippe carelessly; ‘and in return, madame,’ he continued, turning to La Voisin, ‘if any others should come up, let your story be that you have seen no one this night. Mine also is a case of emergency, and a lady—high-born, rich, and beautiful—is concerned in it.’
The woman assured Philippe he might depend upon her secrecy; and he was about to depart with his lantern, when Exili stopped him.
‘Stay!’ he exclaimed earnestly. ‘Who is it you have with you?’ And as he spoke the strange fire kindled in his falcon eyes that always bespoke the working of some terrible passion within.
‘It cannot concern you,’ replied Philippe. ‘I have got my light, and our interview is concluded.’