She was the only one of the company they found seated.

The Duke stood behind the smaller chair beside her, and motioned the Americans to occupy two places at the side of the table next him.

Opposite them, in the places adjoining the elevated dais, were two remarkable individuals whom Uncle John saw for the first time.

One was a Cappuccin monk, with shaven crown and coarse cassock fastened at the waist by a cord.

He was blind in one eye and the lid of the other drooped so as to expose only a thin slit.