He looked at Dea. She was silent, and grew paler every moment, as she stood perfectly motionless. Her sightless eyes remained fixed in depths of thought.
Fortunately, something happened. Ursus saw Master Nicless in the yard, with a candle in his hand, beckoning to him.
Master Nicless had not assisted at the end of the phantom comedy played by Ursus. Some one had happened to knock at the door of the inn. Master Nicless had gone to open it. There had been two knocks, and twice Master Nicless had disappeared. Ursus, absorbed by his hundred-voiced monologue, had not observed his absence.
On the mute call of Master Nicless, Ursus descended.
He approached the tavern-keeper. Ursus put his finger on his lips. Master Nicless put his finger on his lips.
The two looked at each other thus.
Each seemed to say to the other, "We will talk, but we will hold our tongues."
The tavern-keeper silently opened the door of the lower room of the tavern. Master Nicless entered. Ursus entered. There was no one there except these two. On the side looking on the street both doors and window-shutters were closed.
The tavern-keeper pushed the door behind him, and shut it in the face of the inquisitive Govicum.
Master Nicless placed the candle on the table.