Wogan crossed the room towards the door; but before he reached it, the Countess of Berg suddenly took her fingers from her harp-strings with a gesture of annoyance.
"Mr.Warner," she said, "will you do me the favour to screw this wire tighter ?" And once or twice she struck it with her fingers.
"May I claim that privilege ?" said the Prince.
"Your Highness does me too much honour," said the Countess, but the Prince was already at her side.

At once she pointed out to him the particular string.

Wogan went from the room and up the great staircase.
He was lodged in a wing of the palace.

From the head of the staircase he proceeded down a long passage.

Towards the end of this passage another short passage branched off at a right angle on the left-hand side.