The young man went toward it, and, as he approached, the sound of instruments met his ear.

He ascended a flight of stairs and entered the dressing-room.

There he gave his cloak to the usher whose business it was to attend to the wraps.
"Here is your number," said the usher.

"As for your weapons, you are to place them in the gallery where you can find them easily." Morgan put the number in his trousers pocket, and entered the great gallery transformed into an arsenal.

It contained a complete collection of arms of all kinds, pistols, muskets, carbines, swords, and daggers.
As the ball might at any moment be invaded by the police, it was necessary that every dancer be prepared to turn defender at an instant's notice.