‘“I am a stranger and alone,” said I, for the thought struck me that in such a circumstance frankness was as good policy as any other. “I came here to-night to see the cathedral, and lost my way in returning.”
‘“But where do you live—in what quarter of Paris?” ‘“The Rue d’Alger; No. 12; the second storey.” ‘“What effects have you there in money?” ‘“One English bank-note for five pounds; nothing more.”
‘“Any jewels, or valuables of any kind?”
‘“None; I am as poor as any man in Paris.”
‘“Does the porter know your name, in the house?”
‘“No; I am only known as the Englishman of No. 12.”
‘“What are your hours—irregular, are they not?”
‘“Yes, I often come home very late.”
‘“That’s all right. You speak French well. Can you write it?”
‘“Yes, sufficiently so for any common purpose.”