and the colour on his cheeks grew a
little deeper, and then deeper still, and he winced a little as if he
felt that Carrbroke's searching eyes were reading his inmost thoughts;
and then he started and felt worse, for it seemed to him that his
companion suspected his reasons for being there, so that he was ready to
utter a sigh of relief when Carrbroke said:

"Well, you needn't look like that. You needn't be ashamed to believe in
such things. I do, for there's a lot one doesn't understand. I was
told once that different precious stones have very curious qualities;
some will protect anyone from magic, some from enemies. There was a
ring I once heard of which if a person wore would guard him from poison.
It was an Italian ring, I suppose, for I believe that they try to
poison people there."

"Yes, I have heard so," said Denis drily, as he stood with his eyes
fixed upon the cabinet, wondering whether the treasure Leoni sought
could be there. "But it seems nonsense. I don't see how a diamond or a
ruby could do such things."

"No," said Carrbroke; "no more do I, unless you swallowed it to keep the
poison from doing harm. Perhaps it's all nonsense. But the King
believes it, I suppose."

"Why do you say so?" asked Denis.

"Because he's got a lot of such things in here. I say, don't you feel
as if you'd like to smuggle some of them?"

"What!" cried Denis, flushing scarlet and gazing wildly in his
companion's eyes.

"Don't look like that," cried Carrbroke, laughing. "I said smuggle; I
didn't say steal. I thought you might feel as if you'd like to have one
of these charms which hold such magic power."

"I am not afraid of being poisoned," said Denis huskily. "Here, come
away from this; show me something else."

"Oh, haven't you seen enough? But I say, is this better or worse than
Fontainebleau?"

"Oh, I don't know," said Denis hastily, for he felt mentally disturbed.
"They are both beautiful places. Where does that corridor lead?"

"All along one side of the King's apartments."

"Well, let's go down there."

"But there's nothing to show you but furniture and walls covered with
arras and--oh yes, there is: I know. I say, you haven't got any secret
passages at Fontainebleau?"

"We have all kinds of places hidden in the walls. Have you got any
here?"

Carrbroke nodded.

"I say, we are friends, aren't we?"

"Of course; the best of friends."

"Then I'll show you something; only it's a secret. N