"I won't use it, though!" he said aloud, "his sufferings would be too brief!"
There came a knock at the door.
"Does a man named Malvernet live here?" asked a voice.
"Yes, come in," and the door was thrown wide open.
Esperance entered.
"What do you want of me? I am Malvernet," said a gruff voice.
Esperance looked about the room. The man was alone, and Esperance knew that he could defend himself.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked.
"No. I was told to wait for a man here, who would come. I have done as I was bidden, that is all."