Midnight
Henry said , thoughtfully . `` Well , I think that I agree with you . '' and far from being displeased with my warmth -LRB- as is the manner of some sovereigns when their best friends differ from them -RRB- , he came over to my opinion so completely as to halt and express his intention of returning and probing the matter to the bottom . Midnight had gone , however ; it would take some little time to retrace our steps ; and with some difficulty I succeeded in dissuading him , promising instead to make inquiries on the morrow , and having learned who lived in the house , to turn the whole affair into a report , which should be submitted to him . This amused and satisfied him , and , expressing himself well content with the evening 's diversion -- though we had done nothing unworthy either of a King or a Minister -- he parted from me at the Arsenal , and went home with his suite . It did not occur to me at the time that I had promised to do anything difficult ; but the news which my agents brought me next day -- that the uppermost floor of the house in the Rue Pourpointerie was empty -- put another face upon the matter . The landlord declared that he knew nothing of the tenant , who had rented the rooms , ready furnished , by the week ; and as I had not seen the man 's face , there remained only two sources whence I could get the information I needed -- the child , and the cure of St. Marceau .