'Did you meet anyone there?' he asked eagerly.

'No.'

'Stand back a little from the door. This is a wild place, and the times
are troublous. A man must take some precautions.'

I took a few steps back, and he then opened the door sufficiently to
allow his head to come through. He said nothing, but he looked at me
for a long time in a very searching manner.

'What is your name?'

'Louis Laval,' said I, thinking that it might sound less dangerous in
this plebeian form.

'Whither are you going?'

'I wish to reach some shelter.'

'You are from England?'

'I am from the coast.'

He shook his head slowly to show me how little my replies had satisfied
him.

'You cannot come in here,' said he.