"Francois," said the doctor, in the French language, "conduct this young man to No. 19."
"At once, Monsieur le Docteur," answered the attendant. "Come with me, young man."
He signed to Ben to follow him, and our hero, realizing the utter futility of resistance, did so.
"Go ahead, monsieur," said Francois, when they came to a staircase.
Ben understood him very well, though he spoke in French, thanks to his assiduous study of the last four weeks.
They walked along a narrow corridor, and Francois, taking from his pocket a bunch of keys, carefully selected one and opened the door.
"Entrez monsieur."
Ben found himself in an apartment about the size of a hall bedroom, with one window, and a narrow bedstead, covered with an exceedingly thin mattress. There was no carpet on the floor, and the furniture was very scanty. It consisted of but one chair, a cheap bureau, and a washstand. And this was to be Ben's home—for how long?
"I must get acquainted with this man," thought Ben. "I must try to win his goodwill, and perhaps he may be able to help me to escape."