might signify nothing but curiosity, of course, but Wogan felt glad that
the stairs were narrow. He finished his pipe and was knocking out the
ashes when it occurred to him that he had seen that fifth man before;
and Wogan looked at him more carefully, and though the fellow was
disguised by the growth of a beard he recognised him. It was the servant
whom Wogan had seen one day in the Countess of Berg's livery of green
and red galloping along the road to Prague.

"I know enough now," thought Wogan. "I can go to bed. The staircase is a
pretty place with which we shall all be more familiar in an hour or
two." He laughed quietly to himself with a little thrill of enjoyment.
His fatigue had vanished. He was on the point of getting up from the
table when the two men by the fire looked round towards the last comer
and made room for him upon their settle. But he said, "I find the room
hot, and will stay by the door."

Wogan changed his mind at the words; he did not get up. On the contrary,
he filled his pipe a second time very thoughtfully. He had stayed too
long in the room, it seemed; the little staircase was, after all, likely
to prove of no service. He did not betray himself by any start or
exclamation, he did not even look up, but bending his head over his pipe
he thought over the disposition of the room. The fireplace was on his
right; the door was opposite to him; the window in the wall at his left.
The window was high from the ground and at some distance. On the other
hand, he had certain advantages. He was in a corner, he had the five men
in front of him, and between them and himself stood a solid table. A
loaded pistol was in his belt, his sword hung at his side, and his
hunting knife at his waist. Still the aspect of affairs was changed.

"Five men," thought he, "upon a narrow staircase are merely one man who