“There is nothing concealed that shall not be revealed,” quoted Gerald sanctimoniously.
“You Americans!” laughed Caldenas. “How you love the stolen jam! Is it not so, poor children?”
Under cover of the laughter, Gerald drew nearer to Ellen. “Come on, let’s go,” he whispered. “You can’t expect a fellow to unlock his own doors if he doesn’t want to. Besides, we’ve seen enough!”
“Very well,” Ellen raised her voice. “You’re a tightwad, Mr. Petrovskey, but we give in. You may spank us and put us to bed, like the old woman in the shoe if you want to.”
They trooped back noisily down the hall.
Elvira appeared at the other end of the corridor. Her plump figure looked beautiful to Alexis. “The rooms are ready, Monsieur.”
He sighed with relief. Leading them down another hallway, he entered a distant wing.
“Here you are. Good-night, I hope you’ll be comfortable!” He struggled to conceal his delight.
They parted from him with effusion.
Much later, a solitary figure in a wine-colored dressing gown crept up the stairs and stopped in front of Anne’s door. It scratched at the panel delicately, but received no response.