Burden had switched off some of the electric lights in the
corridor--was, indeed, prepared to switch the remainder if any one
happened to come up--and she could just see a face through the window.
The sight of it almost made her scream, for the face was partially
covered by a crape mask, through which the eyes gleamed fiercely.

Burden clapped her hand to her mouth to stifle the cry of terror, and,
absolutely incapable of remaining on the spot, fled to her own room and
locked herself in.

Ted raised the window noiselessly and stepped into the corridor. He had
a plan of the house, drawn from Burden's description, and he made
straight for the countess' room. The Parson stood at the bottom of the
ladder on guard. And each man carried a revolver loaded in all six
barrels.

A few minutes before the burglar had so neatly effected his entrance,
the men left the smoking room for the drawing-room--all excepting Lord
Turfleigh, who had taken a soda and brandy with his cigar, and deemed it
prudent to indulge in a little nap before joining the ladies.

Drake was a little less excited than he had been, but he was still
resolved to ask Luce to be his wife, and he meant to take her into the
conservatory, or one of the rooms where they could be alone for a few
minutes. But when he entered the drawing-room she was playing. He went
up to the piano, and, bending over it as if to look at the music,
whispered: "Will you go into the conservatory presently?"