As souvenirs of the white-wigged personages and ladies of voluminous farthingales who had passed through this palace, there were still some classic busts on the landing places, a hand-wrought iron railing, and various huge lanterns of dull gold and blurred glass.
They stopped on the first floor before a row of doors rather weather-beaten by the years.
"Here it is," said Freya.
And thereupon she pointed to the only door that was covered with a screen of green leather displaying a commercial sign,--enormous, gilded and pretentious.

The doctor was lodging in an office....

How could he ever have found it! The first room really was an office, a merchant's room with files for papers, maps, a safe for stocks, and various tables.

One employee only was working here,--a man of uncertain age with a childish face and a clipped beard.

His obsequious and smiling attitude was in striking contrast to his evasive glance,--a glance of alarm and distrust.
Upon seeing Freya he arose from his seat.