I shouldn't wonder if those stupid people would have sent word to someone.

We had better be prepared.

Come with me--I will show you something." Fred followed Boris, and in a few minutes found himself in a great room that was obviously the dining-room of the house.

In this room there were many pictures, and the walls were panelled in oak, blackened by smoke and age.

Boris looked about to make sure that they were not observed, then he touched a spot in one of the panels, and it slid open.