"So be it!" said the shape. "Leave me now! You will hear from me. My familiars are everywhere."
Without another word Basil arose and left the chamber. In the corridor below he met Tristan.
"I know all," he cut short the speech of the new captain of the guard. "All Rome is full of it. How did it happen? And where?"
"Attracted by a noise as of slippered feet passing over marble, I entered the corridor of the Sacred Stairs, when one of the panels parted. A devilish apparition stood within, throwing the beam of its lantern into the chapel. When a chance ray of light disclosed my presence the shape of darkness hurled a poniard. It missed me, thanks be to Our Lady, struck the mosaic of the floor and broke in two."
"You have the pieces?" Basil queried affably and with much concern.
"I ran to the end of the gallery, shouting to my men," Tristan replied. "When we returned the blade had disappeared."
"Where was it?" Basil queried with much concern and soon they faced the shattered mosaic.
Basil examined the spot minutely.
"From yonder panel, you say?" he turned to Tristan.
"The third from the Capella," came the ready reply.