I permitted him to ramble along as he pleased. Now I had won his pledge I cared little for the nature of his raillery. While he talked I flung open the great chest upon which I had been sitting, and discovering it packed with clothing, hastily dragged the various articles forth, flinging them into the lower berth, covering the pile with blankets in such a manner that they resembled the sleeping figure of a man. Then I turned toward him.
"My first order, Monsieur, is that you get in here."
"Sacre! not I--"
There came a quick, firm footstep sounding along the passageway without; then a hand fell heavily upon the latch of the door.