In spite of the warmth of the room, I felt myself shiver.
At that moment I heard the sound of a stealthy footstep outside the door.
The little old man jumped up.
"I say," he said in an odd voice, "did you hear?"
I pretended I had not heard.
"Ah, you didn't ... and, of course, you didn't feel anything. It must have been my imagination."
A wave of shame ran over me. I knew that I had not the courage to listen to the old fellow's story any longer. I finished my whisky-and-soda and stood up.
"It is very kind of you, sir, to offer me a lodging for the night. I am feeling rather weary and would like to go to bed now, if it is convenient to you."
"Come then, sir," he said, with his old-fashioned politeness, and he walked towards the door.