The girl gave a loud, startled cry, and instantly Commendone saw comprehension flash into her face.
"Sit here," he said to her, putting a chair for her.
Then he turned. Behind the ebony table, motionless, vast, and purple in the face, was the great mummy of the procuress.
"What shall we do?" he said to Hull.
"The first thing, master, is to send the Spanish valet away; that you must do, and therein lies our chance."
Johnnie nodded. He passed out into the passage, went to the front door, pulled aside three huge bolts which worked with a lever very silently, for they were all oiled, and let in a puff of fresh wind from the street.
For a moment he could see nothing in the dark. He called in Spanish: "Torromé, Torromé, where are you? Come here at once." He had hardly done so when the cloaked figure of the valet came out from behind a buttress.
"Ah, Señor," he said, "I am perished with this cold wind. His Highness is ready, then?"
Johnnie shook his head. "No," he answered, "His Highness and Sir John are still engaged, but I am sent to tell you that you may go home. I and my man will attend His Highness to the Tower, but we shall not come until dawn. Go you back to the King's lodging, and if His Highness doth not come in due time, keep all inquiries at bay. He will be sick—you understand?"
Torromé nodded.