It was indirect, coming through her brother, and he liked von Arnheim better than ever, because the young captive was, in truth, very beautiful.

The brown dress and the sober hood could not hide it as she stood there, the warm red light from the setting sun glancing across her rosy face and the tendrils of golden hair that fell from beneath the hood.

She was beautiful beyond compare, John repeated to himself, but scarcely more than a child, and she had come into strange places.

The stalwart Suzanne also took note, and she moved a little nearer, while her grim look deepened.
"We will give you the best hospitality the house affords," continued von Arnheim.

"It's scarcely equipped for ladies, although the former owners left--" He paused and reddened.