In about half an hour groups of men began to appear, coming from the Corso.

They paused before the same door, read the number by the light of a neighbouring street-lamp, and then entered.

In this manner about forty persons more were engulfed by the gloomy portal The last arrivals were two priests.

The one who tried to read the number was near-sighted, and could not make it out.

His companion said to him, laughing: "Go in, go in! There is an odour of Luther in the air; it must be here!" The first priest entered the evil-smelling darkness.