Lucas put his back to the wall.
"Why go farther, M. le Comte?"
"Do you long for interruption'?"
"We were not noticed coming in. The street was quiet."
He crossed the court abruptly and went down the alley to look into the street.
"Not a soul in sight," he said, coming back. "I think we shall not be interrupted. Still, it is wise to use every care. We will fight, if you like, in the house."
He opened with his knife the fastened shutter, and leaped lightly in. Monsieur followed. I, the last, was for closing the shutter, but he stopped me.
"No; leave it wide. I have no fancy for a walk in pitch-darkness with M. Lucas."
"Do we fight here?" Lucas asked, facing us in the wide, square hall. "We can let in more light."
"You seem anxious, my friend, to call attention to your whereabouts. As I am host, I designate the fighting-ground. Up-stairs, if you please."