Benedetto went up with the _delegato_ as far as the second landing, on to which two doors opened.

The one on the left was closed, the one on the right looked down on the stairs through a shining bull's-eye window.

The _delegato_ pushed it open, and he and Benedetto entered a stuffy den, evidently a sort of anteroom.

An usher, who was dozing there, rose wearily.

The _delegato_ left Benedetto, and went into the next room.