“This individual glided silently on in front of them; for the carpets in the corridors were as soft as moss itself.
“‘Splendid mansion it looks in daylight, don’t it?’ whispered O’Brady. ‘What a noble corridor! Just look at those chandeliers, look at the stained windows, and those frescoes! Must have cost a power o’ money, eh?’
“‘Didn’t cost him much, I expect,’ muttered his friend. ‘You forget you’re not in a hotel, but in the house of a robber chief.’
“‘Hush, hush, hush! not so loud, please; every whisper is heard in this strange place.’
“Black servants or slaves, with white garments, squatted here and there in the hall, pulling punkah strings, and rolling chalk-white eyes at the two officers as they passed. They came at length to an immensely tall door. At each side of it stood a sentry, dressed in blue and scarlet—niggers both, savage-looking, armed to the teeth, and over six feet high.
“They each pulled back a curtain, and our friends found themselves in the breakfast-room.
“Three great windows looked out upon a noble park, in which were strange and beautiful trees, marble figures, miniature lakes, gushing fountains, and many a lovely bird and curious quadruped.
“Dressed in a crimson gown, the folds of which he grasped in one hand across his chest, the count himself advanced to meet them. He stopped halfway and bowed low.
“‘I hope my guests slept well?’ he said.
“The breakfast was eaten in silence almost. Afterwards—