"And you are here--"
"As hostler, neither more nor less."
"Then take me to the master of the inn."
Picaut woke up the inn-keeper, who was in bed. The latter received Michel with some distrust; and the young man, feeling there was no time to lose, decided on striking the great blow, and said deliberately the five words:--
"Rue du Château, No. 3."
The words were scarcely heard by the inn-keeper before his distrust disappeared and his whole manner changed. From that moment he and his house were at Michel's disposal. It was now Michel's turn to make inquiries.
"Have you other travellers in the house?"
"Only one."
"Of what kind?"
"The very worst,--a man to fear."