those chambers; and that such was indeed his purpose an upward
glance which he cast in the direction of the balcony sufficiently
proved.

The watcher, who had been standing in a dark recess formed by the
presence of heavy velvet curtains draped before the window, now
opened the curtains and stepped into the lighted room. He was a
tall, lean man having straight, jet-black hair, a sallow
complexion, and the features of a Sioux. A long black cigar
protruded aggressively from the left corner of his mouth. His
hands were locked behind him and his large and quite
expressionless blue eyes stared straight across the room at the
closed door with a dreamy and vacant regard. His dinner jacket
fitted him so tightly that it might have been expected at any
moment to split at the seams. As if to precipitate the
catastrophe, he wore it buttoned.

There came a rap at the door.

"In!" said the tall man.

The door opened silently and a manservant appeared. He was
spotlessly neat and wore his light hair cropped close to the
skull. His fresh-coloured face was quite as expressionless as
that of his master; his glance possessed no meaning. Crossing to
the window, he extended a small salver upon which lay a visiting
card.

"In!" repeated the tall man, looking down at the card.