noon
Doubtless Madame de Cocheforet had dropped it in the night . I turned it over and over ; and then I put it in my pouch with a smile , thinking that it might be useful sometime , and in some way . I had scarcely done this , and turned with the intention of exploring the street , when the door behind me creaked on its leather hinges , and in a moment the host stood at my elbow , and gave me a surly greeting . Evidently his suspicions were again aroused , for from this time he managed to be with me , on one pretence or another until noon . Moreover , his manner grew each moment more churlish , his hints plainer ; until I could scarcely avoid noticing the one or the other . About mid-day , having followed me for the twentieth time into the street , he came to the point by asking me rudely if I did not need my horse . ` No , ' I said .