rooms?” The old man bowed. “Everything, signore.” “That door, where does it lead?” Luigi pressed down the handle and threw it open. “Good heavens, Mr. St. Hilary!” cried the duke, “are you looking for the gems you have been romancing about? Surely by this time you have seen everything.” The dealer paid little heed to the duke’s remonstrances. He was fingering the tapestries. The 37duke turned to the ladies with a gesture of annoyance. 37 “Shall we now leave this mad dealer to his own devices? It would please me very much if both of you would choose some souvenir of our delightful afternoon. I am reluctant to let the terrible American have everything. Shall we go to the reception-rooms again? It is there that we shall find the more interesting pieces of bric-à-brac.” The duke and the ladies left the sala, old Luigi leading the way. Myself his Grace had ignored completely. I turned listlessly to join St. Hilary. To my astonishment he absolutely disappeared. I walked the full length of the sala, quite mystified; for I had observed only one exit. As I stood in a dim corner of the vast apartment one of the tapestries opposite shook. St. Hilary emerged from behind it. He glanced around the room an instant, and then, thinking himself unseen, he walked rapidly into the reception-room after the others. My curiosity was thoroughly aroused. I lifted the tapestry in my turn and felt along the wall behind it. SuddenlySuddenly this wall gave way to the pressure of my hand. I had pushed open a door. Suddenly Suddenly 38I found myself in a narrow chamber, hardly larger than a coat-closet. I struck a match. But before I could explore the interior, the tapestry was lifted once more, and LuigiLuigi appeared, the lighted candle still in his hand.
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