My heart leaped at the name. I saw that I must take the bull by the horns—assume a bold front; for if they waited to consult my pursuer, I should never gain the information I was seeking.
"It was through Monsieur Bethune that I secured your address," I said boldly. "He was taken ill this morning; his heart, you know," and I tapped my chest.
They nodded, looking at me, nevertheless, with eyes narrow with suspicion.
"Yes, monsieur, we know," said Jourdain. "The authorities at the hospital at once notified us."
"It is not the first attack," I asserted, with a temerity born of necessity. "He has had others, but none so serious as this."
They nodded sympathetically. Plainly they had been considerably impressed by their lodger.
"So," I continued brazenly, "he knows at last that his condition is very bad, and he wishes to remain at the hospital for some days until he has quite recovered. In the meantime, I am to have the second floor back, which was occupied by the ladies."
I spoke the last word with seeming nonchalance, without the quiver of a lash, though I was inwardly a-quake; for I was risking everything upon it. Then, in an instant I breathed more freely. I saw that I had hit the mark, and that their suspicions were gradually growing less.
"They, of course, are not coming back," I added; "at least, not for a long time; so he has no further use for the room. This is the fourteenth—I can take possession to-morrow."
They exchanged a glance, and Madame Jourdain arose.