He rose with a gesture of resignation.
"Rubber shoes," he said, and so stepped into the room, followed by Wethermill and the others.

They found themselves in a small recess which was panelled with wood painted white, and here and there delicately carved into festoons of flowers.

The recess ended in an arch, supported by two slender pillars, and on the inner side of the arch thick curtains of pink silk were hung.

These were drawn back carelessly, and through the opening between them the party looked down the length of the room beyond.

They passed within..