ke the steps
of an old woman.

CHAPTER XXIV

Henry and Agnes were left alone in the Room of the Caryatides.

The person who had written the description of the palace--probably a
poor author or artist--had correctly pointed out the defects of the
mantel-piece. Bad taste, exhibiting itself on the most costly and
splendid scale, was visible in every part of the work. It was
nevertheless greatly admired by ignorant travellers of all classes;
partly on account of its imposing size, and partly on account of the
number of variously-coloured marbles which the sculptor had contrived
to introduce into his design. Photographs of the mantel-piece were
exhibited in the public rooms, and found a ready sale among English and
American visitors to the hotel.

Henry led Agnes to the figure on the left, as they stood facing the
empty fire-place. 'Shall I try the experiment,' he asked, 'or will
you?' She abruptly drew her arm away from him, and turned back to the
door. 'I can't even look at it,' she said. 'That merciless marble
face frightens me!'

Henry put his hand on the forehead of the figure. 'What is there to
alarm you, my dear, in this conventionally classical face?' he asked
jestingly. Before he could press the head inwards, Agnes hurriedly
opened the door. 'Wait till I am out of the room!' she cried. 'The
bare idea of what you may find there horrifies me!' She looked back
into the room as she crossed the threshold. 'I won't leave you
altogether,' she said, 'I will wait outside.'

She closed the door. Left by himself, Henry lifted his hand once more
to the marble forehead of the figure.

For the second time, he was checked on the point of setting the
machinery of the hiding-place in motion. On this occasion, the
interruption came from an outbreak of friendly voices in the corridor.
A woman's voice exclaimed, 'Dearest Agnes, how glad I am to see you
again!' A man's voice followed, offering to introduce some friend to
'Miss Lockwood.' A third voice (which Henry recognised as the voice of
the manager of the hotel) became audible next, directing the
housekeeper to show the ladies and gentlemen the vacant apartments at
the other end of the corridor. 'If more accommodation is wanted,' the
manager went on, 'I have a charming room to let here.' He opened the
door as he spoke, and found himself face to face with Henry Westwick.

'This is indeed an agreeable surprise, sir!' said the manager
cheerfully. 'You are admiring