It seemed to take a long time, and I sat on a stone bench, eying the courtyard curiously from beneath the archway.

It was sunny and clean, with an old well in the middle, but I could see nothing save a few windows opening upon it.

At last the man returned and said that I might come with him.
I found Benoni, clad in a gorgeous dressing-gown, stalking up and down a large vaulted apartment, in which there were a few new arm-chairs, a table covered with books, and a quantity of ancient furniture that looked unsteady and fragile, although it had been carefully dusted.

A plain green baize carpet covered about half the floor, and the remainder was of red brick.

The morning sun streamed in through tall windows, and played in a rainbow-like effulgence on the baron's many-coloured dressing-gown, as he paused in his walk to greet me.
"Well, my friend," said Benoni, gaily, "how in the name of the devil did you get here ?" I thought I had been right; he was going to play at being my friend again.
"Very easily, by the help of your little hint," I replied, and I seated myself, for I felt that I was master of the situation.
"Ah, if I had suspected you of being so intelligent, I would not have given you any hint at all.