Then without any appearance of haste, he walked ahead to conduct the visitor back to the Sala Clementina.

The endless promenade through the interminable ante-rooms began once more, and there was still not a soul, not a sound, not a breath.

In each empty room stood the one solitary lamp, burning low amidst a yet deeper silence than before.

The wilderness seemed also to have grown larger as the night advanced, casting its gloom over the few articles of furniture scattered under the lofty gilded ceilings, the thrones, the stools, the pier tables, the crucifixes, and the candelabra which recurred in each succeeding room.

And at last the Sala Clementina which the Swiss Guards had just quitted was reached again, and Signor Squadra, who hitherto had not turned his head, thereupon drew aside without word or gesture, and, saluting Pierre with a last bow, allowed him to pass on.