‘Oh, no, sir. You could do as you pleased about that!’
‘What then? Will your other lodgers disturb me?’
Her face twitched as she answered, ‘I have no other lodgers, sir.’
‘Do you live in this big house, then, by yourself?’
‘My husband and I have been in charge of it for years, and are permitted to occupy the lower floor in consideration of keeping the upper rooms (which are only used as offices in the day-time) clean and in order. But the clerks are all gone by five o’clock, so they wouldn’t interfere with your night-work.’
‘What will, then?’
‘I’m afraid there are a good many rats about the place, sir. They will breed in these old houses, and keep up a racket at night.’
‘Oh, I don’t mind the rats,’ I answered, cheerfully. ‘I’ll catch as many as I can for you, and frighten away the others. If that is your only objection, the rooms are mine. May I see them?’
‘Certainly, sir,’ she said, as she closed the door behind me and led the way into two lofty and spacious chambers, connected by folding-doors, which had once formed the dining-saloon of a splendid mansion.