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to fall asleep again; but it was disturbing to know that the woman might be watching him. He made up his mind to get rid of her at once. If she was waiting for money, it was simple. It would be easy in any case. He sat up.
    “Have you been up long?”
    The woman started and looked at him. “I couldn’t sleep any longer. I am sorry if I woke you.”
    “You did not wake me.”
    She got up. “I wanted to leave. I don’t know what kept me sitting here.”
    “Wait. I’ll soon be ready. You’ll have breakfast. The famous coffee of the hotel. We both will have enough time for that.”
    He rose and rang the bell. Then he went into the bathroom. He noticed that she had used it; but everything was neatly arrangedand in place, even the used bathtowels. While brushing his teeth he heard the chambermaid come in with the breakfast. He hurried.
    “Did it embarrass you?” he asked when he came out of the bathroom.
    “What?”
    “Because the girl saw you. I didn’t think of that.”
    “No. Nor was she surprised.” The woman looked at the tray. It was breakfast for two persons although Ravic had not said anything.
    “Of course not. This is Paris. Here, drink your coffee. Have you a headache?”
    “No.”
    “Well, I have. But it will be gone in an hour. Here, a brioche.”
    “I can’t eat.”
    “Of course you can. You only imagine you can’t. Try something.”
    She took the brioche. Then she put it back again. I really can’t.”
    “Then drink your coffee and have a cigarette. That’s a soldier’s breakfast.”
    “Yes.”
    Ravic ate. “Aren’t you hungry yet?” he asked after a while.
    “No.”
    The woman put out her cigarette. “I think—” she said and stopped.
    “What do you think?” Ravic asked without interest.
    “I should be going now.”
    “Do you know your way? This is near the Avenue Wagram.”
    “No.”
    “Where do you live?”
    “In the Hôtel Verdun.”
    “It’s a few minutes from here. I can direct you outside. Anyway, I’ll have to take you past the porter.”
    “Yes—but it’s not that.”
    She was silent again. Money, Ravic thought. “I can easily help you out, if you are hard up.” He took his wallet out of his pocket.
    “Don’t! What’s that for?” the woman said brusquely.
    “Nothing.” Ravic put the wallet back.
    “Excuse me—” She rose. “You were—I have to thank you—it would have been—the night—alone, I wouldn’t have known …”
    Ravic remembered what had happened. It would have been ridiculous if the woman had made any claim on him—but he had not expected her to thank him, and it was far more disturbing.
    “I really would not have known …” the woman said. She was still standing before him, undecided. Why doesn’t she go? he thought.
    “But now you know?” he said just to say something.
    “No.” She looked at him frankly. “I do not know yet. I only know that I must do something. I know that I cannot escape.”
    “That’s a lot.” Ravic took his coat. “I’ll take you down now.”
    “It’s not necessary. Only tell me—” She hesitated, searching for words. “Perhaps you know—what must be done—if …”
    “If?” Ravic said after a while.
    “If someone dies,” the woman blurted and suddenly collapsed. She wept. She did not sob, she merely wept, almost soundlessly.
    Ravic waited until she was calmer. “Has someone died?”
    She nodded.
    “Last night?”
    She nodded again.
    “Did you kill him?”
    The woman stared at him. “What? What did you say?”
    “Did you do it? When you ask me what to do you must tell me.”
    “He died!” the woman cried. “He died! Suddenly he was—”
    She covered her face.
    “Was he sick?” Ravic asked.
    “Yes—”
    “Did you have a doctor?”
    “Yes—but he did not want to go to the hospital—”
    “Did you have the doctor yesterday?”
    “No. Earlier. Three days ago. He had—he ranted against the doctor and refused to see him again—”
    “Didn’t you call another doctor