She opened a door at her right hand, and showed me a musty guest chamber, which still smelt of its former occupant, who must have been a tanner, I should say.
"It will do," I declared.
"Yes, but will you bring the coffin here?"
"Assuredly."
"Not for a pound a day, though, mister!" she retorted with a cunning smile. "Why, all my boarders would clear out!"
"How much do you want, then?"
"Two quid, not a penny less."
I paid the money into her hand. Her eyes glinted with rage and self-contempt, because she had not demanded three, but I did not choose to heed.
"I shall return in ten minutes with the coffin!" I said quickly. "In the meanwhile that room is mine. Please see that no one goes into it, and do not on any account open the window!"
In another moment I was out of the house, and walking back briskly towards the city, followed at a distance by the greengrocer's cart.