"I was mistaken, of course."
He returned to his room and there found that the sounds were repeated, and came from the window. He went to it, and looking out saw the outlines of a human being. No robber would have attracted attention thus. Nevertheless Maslenes took down a revolver before he opened the window.
"Who is there?" he asked.
"Some one who wishes to speak to you!" And with these words the person jumped into the room.
Maslenes raised his revolver, but at this moment the light fell on the face of the unknown. He uttered a cry of horror.
"You here! Ah! leave me, leave me at once, or I swear that I will blow out your brains."
"No, sir, you will do nothing of the kind. It would be very inconvenient for you to find yourself with a dead body to get rid of. You would be obliged to give your name, and you certainly don't care for the police to put their nose into your affairs."
And as the intendant did not reply, the new comer continued:
"That is right! You are becoming reasonable, I see. It is really droll that we should meet again after all these years in this way!"
He seated himself, and drawing out a cigar, lighted it at the candle.