"Won't you sit down, Monsieur?" said Hilaire, in a tone of extreme politeness.
The Nut took the proffered chair. He grew more self-possessed. A smile flickered across Hilaire's face.
"You are quite out of breath. What happened to you, Monsieur?"
"Some ruffians were after me," returned the Nut. "They can't be far away. If I had not caught sight of the light under your door, and if you had net been sitting up so late, I don't know what would have become of me."
He ceased speaking. Furtive steps creeping along the pavement, and even the exchange of a few words in hushed whispers could be heard some five paces away from them. And then a great silence fell, but they were not deceived by it, and Hilaire said in an undertone:
"They're still there."
"Yes, they must have seen me come in. If that's so, they won't go away in a hurry."
"What do they want with you?"
"I can't tell you that."
"I've been too inquisitive. I apologize. I don't wish to know anything. I am entirely at your disposal, and ready to help you to the best of my ability. You said a word when you banged at my door which makes me your slave."