They had buried the great book somewhere in the laboratory." "But the laboratory is paved," objected Giovanni, to gain time, for he was thinking.
"There is earth under the stones, sir.

I remember seeing it last year when the masons put down several new slabs.

The great book is somewhere under the floor of the laboratory.

I must have stepped over it in feeding the fire last night, and that is why the devils that guard it inspired the porter to beat me this morning.

It was the devils that sent us to sleep, for fear that we should find it." "I daresay," said Giovanni with much gravity, for he thought it better that the boy should be kept in awe of an object that possessed such immense value.