"Where are we going?" whispered Jeanne.
"To the lodgings of a servant of Monsieur de Lafayette," Barrington answered. "This is an empty house which we shall leave by a window below. The worst is over. We shall be secure in our retreat until we can leave Paris. Lead the way, Seth."
A set of rooms opened out into another, a door enclosing them from the passage without. Seth led the way through the rooms and opened this door quietly. Then he stopped and drew back a little.
"What is it?" said Barrington under his breath.
"Listen!"
Jeanne's hand was still in Barrington's, and he felt her fingers tighten. To her the house was as still as death, the blackness of it empty; but to her companions whose ears were trained to keenness, there was movement in the air close to them.
"How many," Barrington whispered, not asking information, but rather confirmation of his own estimate.
"Several," Seth answered.
"Tramps, perhaps, lodging here for the night."
"I fear not. They are on the stairs. We shall soon see," answered Seth.