Gently I mounted, and on reaching the top of the flight found a door directly facing me.

I turned the handle, but the door was locked.

I rattled the handle cautiously--and then again, and again.

And presently I heard a light, timid, hesitating step inside; and through the door came, in the voice of Marie Delhasse: "Who's there ?" And I answered at once, boldly, but in a low voice: "It is I.Open the door." She, in her turn, knew my voice; for the door was opened, and Marie Delhasse stood before me, her face pale with weariness and sorrow, and her eyes wide with wonder.

She drew back before me, and I stepped in and shut the door, finding myself in a rather large, sparely furnished room.