CHAPTER V.
IN THE SALON Julius Ricardo pushed aside the curtains with a thrill of excitement.
He found himself standing within a small oblong room which was prettily, even daintily, furnished.

On his left, close by the recess, was a small fireplace with the ashes of a burnt-out fire in the grate.
Beyond the grate a long settee covered in pink damask, with a crumpled cushion at each end, stood a foot or two away from the wall, and beyond the settee the door of the room opened into the hall.

At the end a long mirror was let into the panelling, and a writing-table stood by the mirror.

On the right were the three windows, and between the two nearest to Mr.Ricardo was the switch of the electric light.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling, an electric lamp stood upon the writing-table, a couple of electric candles on the mantel-shelf.