'Take care; the landlord will be descending on you; M. Dubois never pays; he may be turned out any day, and his things sold. Where is Mademoiselle going to sleep?'
'But in M. Dubois' appartement,' said David, hoping this time, in his dismay, that he did not understand; 'he promised to arrange everything.'
'He has arranged nothing. Do you wish that I should provide some things? You can hire some furniture from me. And do you want service?'
The woman had a grasping eye. David's frugal instincts took alarm.
'Merci, Madame! My sister and I do not require much. We shall wait upon ourselves. If Madame will tell us the name of some restaurant near—'
Instead, Madame made an angry sound and thrust the key abruptly into Louie's hand, David being laden with the bags.
'There are two more flights,' she said roughly; 'then turn to the left, and go up the staircase straight in front of you—first door to the right. You've got eyes; you'll find the way.'
'Mais, Madame—' cried David, bewildered by these directions, and trying to detain her.
But she was already half-way down the flight below them, throwing back remarks which, to judge from their tone, were not complimentary.
There was no help for it. Louie was dropping with fatigue, and beginning to be much out of temper. David with difficulty assumed a hopeful air, and up they went again. Leading off the next landing but one they found a narrow passage, and at the end of it a ladder-like staircase. At the top of this they came upon a corridor at right angles, in which the first door bore the welcome figures '26.'