And on it came with its increasing light, and tinged the tops of the trees. When Beate entered Giulia was still sitting motionlessly in her evening robe in the easy chair.
On descending the winding staircase Baluzzi found Kätchen sitting upon the first steps of the subterranean passage beside the dark lantern.
Impatient she had certainly become, and had even crept up the stairs. She had listened, but understood nothing, for Baluzzi and Giulia spoke in Italian.
In her hand she held something that fluttered and flapped strangely. It was a bat which had whirled around her lantern, and threatened to entangle itself in her hair. When she perceived Baluzzi she started up.
"Well, and she?"
"She will remain this time," said the Italian. "She has bought herself off."
He showed the magnificent diamonds, but they made no impression upon the girl.
"Bought herself off?" said she, as she raised the lantern, let the bat fly away, and stared at Baluzzi in idiotic amazement.
She scrambled down a few steps through the rubbish in the subterranean passage.
Then Kätchen stopped suddenly.