Do you know his room ?" "No." "No ?" in a tone of dismay.

"But is it not on a level with yours ?" "No," Claude answered, shivering; "it is over mine." "No matter, there is an easy mode of proving him," the Syndic replied; and despite himself his tone was eager.

"If he be the man they say he is, there is in his room a box of steel chained to the wall.

It contains the spell he uses.

By means of it he can enter where he pleases, he can enslave women to his will, he----" "And you do not seize it ?" Claude cried in a tone of horror.
"He has the Grand Duke's protection," the Syndic answered smoothly, "and to touch him without clear proof might cause much trouble to the State." "And for that you suffer him," Claude exclaimed, his voice trembling.
"You suffer him to work his will?
You suffer him----" "I must follow the law," Blondel answered, shaking his head.