of the Apocalyptic horsemen. The quadruple scourge, on fantastic mounts,
seemed to be precipitating itself with a realistic sweep, crushing
panic-stricken humanity.

Suddenly something happened which startled the three men from their
contemplative admiration--something unusual, indefinable, a dreadful
sound which seemed to enter directly into their brains without passing
through their ears--a clutch at the heart. Instinctively they knew that
something very grave had just happened.

They stared at each other silently for a few interminable seconds.

Through the open door, a cry of alarm came up from the patio.

With a common impulse, the three ran to the interior window, but before
reaching them, the Russian had a presentiment.

"My neighbor! . . . It must be my neighbor. Perhaps she has killed
herself!"

Looking down, they could see lights below, people moving around a form
stretched out on the tiled floor. The alarm had instantly filled all
the court windows, for it was a sleepless night--a night of nervous
apprehension when everyone was keeping a sad vigil.

"She has killed herself," said a voice which seemed to come up from a
well. "The German woman has committed suicide."

The explanation of the concierge leaped from window to window up to the
top floor.