They crossed the courtyard, leaving the entrance to the library on their left and on their right the door by which the Pope's apartments are reached.

High above them the glass of the Logge shone in the moonlight.

Benedetto, recalling an audience the late Pontiff had granted him, was astonished at being conducted by this strange way.

Having crossed the courtyard in a straight line, the priest entered the narrow passage leading to the small stairway called "dei Mosaici," and stopped before the door opening on the right, where the stairway called "del Triangolo" descends.

"Are you acquainted with the Vatican ?" he inquired.
"I am acquainted with the Museums and the Logge," Benedetto replied.
"The predecessor of the present Pontiff once received me in his private apartment; but I am not acquainted with any other parts." "You have never been here ?" "Never." The priest preceded him up the stair, which was dimly illuminated by small electric lights.