“What is that?� asked d’Aguesseau with a strange glance from the image to the devotee.
“A prayer,� replied le Bossu; “when I see danger I always offer a prayer to our Lady.�
The Huguenot smiled contemptuously, but said no more, following his host into the front room.
“It is yours,� said the hunchback. “You are weary; lie down until the pot-au-feu is ready, and we will sup together.�
“I have been in many places,� said d’Aguesseau, “and seen many people—but never one like you before.�
Le Bossu smiled. “Yet—save for the hump—I am as others,� he said quietly. “I hear some one crossing the court,� he added; “if any one enters the shop, ’tis best for you to be quiet up here. There are some who need not know I have a guest.�
“I trust I shall not imperil your safety by any carelessness,� d’Aguesseau replied earnestly, casting a kindly glance at the drawn face.
“I must go down,� said the cobbler. “Rest here awhile; I will call you to supper.�
His guest thanked him, still much perplexed by this unusual friendliness, and stood watching the hunchback as he went back to the trap-door, and did not withdraw his eyes until his host disappeared through the opening in the floor.
Le Bossu heard footsteps in the shop as he descended the stairs, and leaning forward, saw Mère Tigrane in the kitchen door. Without a word he went back and closed the trap, slipping the bolt; then he came down to find la Louve in the kitchen.