"The château seems more like a museum than a place of residence," declared Don. "But, fellows, we'd better hustle a bit faster. You know a German marmite may be flying in this direction at any minute."
"A sensible suggestion," said the art student; "for nothing is more certain than that we are in the midst of the greatest of uncertainties."
Reaching the entrance hall they discovered a very elegant staircase, with ornate newel posts and balustrades, ascending to a balcony.
"Just a moment—let's finish our inspection of the first floor before venturing into the unknown regions above," exclaimed Chase.
Cautiously following the pathway of light, which ever streamed far in advance, the trio presently entered a long apartment which brought forth involuntary exclamations of admiration from all.
"The ballroom!" cried Dunstan.
"And the show-place of the whole château," exclaimed Don.
"It certainly is a show, all right," commented Chase. "What staggering sums of money it must have taken to run such an establishment!"
"I don't think I could have managed it on my income," laughed Don.
On one side of the ballroom stretched gilded mirrors and magnificent decorations, while on the other a long row of high, arched windows faced the park. In whichever direction the light traveled some new and unexpected beauty flashed into view. The beams sparkled and shone on candelabra, on paintings and tapestries, and sometimes reaching up to the ceiling disclosed a bluish vault, in imitation of the heavens, studded with golden stars.