e, whether I'm asked in or not. It may
belong to a noble family, but I'm a nobleman myself, a king, one of a
hundred million American kings."

"Then, king, you lead," said Carstairs. "It's your place. Go right up
those steps."

A half dozen marble steps led to the great central door, and John walked
up boldly, followed closely by the others. He lifted a huge brass
knocker, and beat heavily with it again and again. No sound came back
but its echo.

"Push, king," said Carstairs. "Any door will open to royalty. Besides
your majesty has been insulted by the refusal to answer your summons."

John pushed hard, and the great door swung back slowly, quivering a
little, but with the automatic in his hand, he walked into a hall, the
other two at his shoulders. They closed the door behind them and stood
there for a little space, accustoming their eyes to the dusk.

It was a long hall with tall windows, through which a faint light
filtered. To the right was a stairway, on the first step of which was a
figure, of complete medieval armor. Several faded pictures of ancient
knights hung on the walls.

"It's old, very old," said Carstairs, "but its owners, whoever they are,
have left with all their people. There's nobody to dispute our claim to
lodgings, but did you ever see anything more lonesome?"

"There's a double door, leading into the interior of the house," said
John. "Let's explore."

They entered a large apartment which John took to be the drawing-room.
It was at once splendid and dignified, furnished in a style at least two
centuries old. John liked it, and thought what it would be when it was
filled with light and people.

A magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling, and there were
ornamented sconces about the walls, all containing many candles.
Evidently the owner of this chateau scorned such modern lights as gas
and electricity.

"We might light a candle or two," said Carstairs. "Doubtless we can find
matches about."

"No! No!" exclaimed Wharton. "I'm not at all sure that we're safe here
from intrusion!"

"Think you're right," said Carstairs. "Let's explore further."

"Then I vote that we go downward," said John. "I've gathered from my
reading that in the big European houses the kitchens are below stairs,
and just now a kitchen will be much more welcome to me than a
drawing-room."

True to John's reading the kitchen and storerooms were in the basement.
Nothing had been disturbed, and they found ample f