The shaded lights thrown downwards upon the table seemed to leave most of the rest of the apartment in semi-darkness.

The gloomy faces of the men and women whose pictures hung upon the walls were almost invisible.

The servants themselves, standing a little outside the halo of light, were like shadows passing swiftly and noiselessly back and forth.

At the far end of the room was an organ, and to the left a little balcony, built out as though for an orchestra.

Hamel looked about him almost in wonderment.