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 "Now!" cried Sonia, careless of noise, only anxious for swiftness. Opening the closet, she snatched up the light, and leaned out as she raised it high above her head. "Who's there?" Her voice rang sharp and loud.

The light fell full on the startled face of the man. A handsome face, whose yellow hair and contrasting black eyes were unmistakable.

The Englishman!" whispered Victoria.

For an instant only, fear shone in his eyes—almost at once his face cleared to a charming smile.

"Don't be frightened," he said, softly, in very bad French, "it is nothing. My friend amused himself by locking me in my room for a joke, so I crawled out on the balcony and over the roofs to get even with him. Don't wake up the house. I'm awfully sorry I frightened you." He nodded pleasantly, and disappeared over the gutter's edge into the darkness below.

They heard him reach the courtyard; they heard his footsteps cross the court, and the lift of the latch as he let himself into the street by 47