It was opened no less gently, and Edgar the secretary admitted him, led him across the garden and up a narrow flight of stairs into a small lighted cabinet.

Two men were waiting in that room.

One of them wore the scarlet robe, an old man with white hair and a broad bucolic face, whom Wogan knew for the Pope's Legate, Cardinal Origo.

The slender figure of the other, clad all in black but for the blue ribbon of the Garter across his breast, brought Wogan to his knee.
Wogan held out the Pope's procuration to the Chevalier, who took it and devoutly kissed the signature.

Then he gave his hand to Wogan with a smile of friendliness.
"You have outsped your time by two days, Mr.Wogan.That is unwise, since it may lead us to expect again the impossible of you.