“As I am here. There is only one way out—through this door—and I have been here since you came.”
“You have long hours.”
“There is an old proverb, monsieur, ‘Fast bind, safe find,’” and he again shot a keen glance at me.
Clearly it seemed that Comminges was on the alert. But too much caution often overreaches itself, and I took heart from the thought, as I rubbed my hands together, saying, with a little shiver:
“Ugh! It’s cold here; and the fire in the room, there, is crackling cheerily.”
Comminges said nothing, but as I slipped into the room he followed me; not so fast, however, but that I was able to exchange a nod with Vaux, who had to turn aside to hide the blaze of eager curiosity in his eyes.
From within the inner room there came a low murmur of voices.
“So he is awake,” I said, and Vaux answered:
“Yes. He has been awake for the last quarter of an hour.”
“Then I shall go in,” and I tapped at the door. A weak voice replied, “Enter!” and as I made a movement forward I saw Comminges at my heels.