“‘Bloody,’ repeated I, surprised at this confidence.
“‘Yes, bloody and terrifying beyond description. There is yet time. Do you wish to renounce this excursion? If you do not have the courage, I will accompany you to——’
“‘My friend, I have faith in your loyalty; and I know you will do nothing unworty the character of a brave gentleman.’
“‘Fear nothing,’ said the young Italian, in excellent English, ‘only wait till in your own country before you speak.’
“A moment after, our carriage halted. We found ourselves in a small square, dimly lighted, a species of carrefour, which gave access to four streets.
“We descended and waited till the carriage had driven away and the noise of its wheels was lost in the deserted streets. It was nine o’clock.
“‘Follow us,’ whispered the count, ‘and do not utter a single word.’
“We proceeded a dozen steps along one of the streets which led into the place, and then the count stopped before a door, and said, in a low voice—
“‘It is here.’
“He pushed gently against the door, which yielded easily; and then we entered a long dark corridor, at the extremity of which there shone a faint light through the curtains of a second door, which seemed to open into some lighted apartment.