men were wont to turn their heads - aye, and women too - to admire
his fine proportions. We supped - so vilely that I have not the
heart to tell you what we ate - and, having supped, I bade my host
light me to my chamber. As for my men, I had determined that they
should spend the night in the common room, where there was a fire,
and where - notwithstanding the company of those two ruffians, into
whose presence I had not troubled to inquire - they would doubtless
be better than elsewhere in that poor hostelry.

In gathering up my cloak and doublet and other effects to bear them
off to the kitchen, the host would have possessed himself also of
my sword. But with a laugh I took it from him, remarking that it
required no drying.

As we mounted the stairs, I heard something above me that sounded
like the creaking of a door. The host heard it also, for he stood
suddenly still, his glance very questioning.

"What was that?" said he.

"The wind, I should say," I answered idly; and my answer seemed to
reassure him, for with a "Ah, yes - the wind," he went on.

Now, for all that I am far from being a man of tremors or unwarranted
fears, to tell the truth the hostelry of the "Star" was beginning to
fret my nerves. I could scarce have told you why had you asked me,
as I sat upon the bed after mine host had left me, and turned my
thoughts to it. It was none of the trivial incidents that had marked
my coming; but it was, I think, the combination of them all. First
there was the host's desire to separate me from my men by suggesting