"Will the gentlemen sleep here?"
"No! no, indeed! we sleep at my estate of La Roche-Noire."
At that name the stranger raised his head and looked closely at Robineau, who continued:
"You must know that château, monsieur l’aubergiste?"
"La Roche-Noire? no, monsieur. I know the village of La Roche-Blanche, which is about two leagues from here."
"I say, Robineau," laughed Alfred, "perhaps you are mistaken; maybe you’re lord of La Roche-Blanche."
"Not at all; I have my title deeds; I am perfectly sure that it’s Noire.—However, what estates are there at La Roche-Blanche?"
"Oh! most of the people live in caves, monsieur; in a sort of caverns, dug out of the cliffs."
"You see, messieurs, that there’s no resemblance—caverns! And I have a magnificent château!—You know the town of Saint-Amand, I trust?"
"Saint-Amand-Talende? Yes, messieurs; it’s but a few leagues from here."