-- it was inconceivable to him that any person could have
a home like a hotel or the city hall. But he followed in
silence, and they went up the long flight of steps, arm in
arm.

"There's a button here, ole sport," said Master Freddie.
"Hole my arm while I find her! Steady, now -- oh, yes,
here she is! Saved!"

A bell rang, and in a few seconds the door was opened.
A man in blue livery stood holding it, and gazing before
him, silent as a statue.

They stood for a moment blinking in the light. Then
Jurgis felt his companion pulling, and he stepped in, and
the blue automaton closed the door. Jurgis's heart was
beating wildly; it was a bold thing for him to do -- into
what strange unearthly place he was venturing he had no
idea. Aladdin entering his cave could not have been more
excited.

The place where he stood was dimly lighted; but he
could see a vast hall, with pillars fading into the darkness
above, and a great staircase opening at the far end of it.
The floor was of tesselated marble, smooth as glass, and
from the walls strange shapes loomed out, woven into huge
portieres in rich, harmonious colors, or gleaming from
paintings, wonderful and mysterious-looking in the half-
light, purple and red and golden, like sunset glimmers in
a shadowy forest.

The man in livery had moved silently toward them;
Master Freddie took off his hat and handed it to him, and
then, letting go of Jurgis's arm, tried to get out of his
overcoat. After two or three attempts he accomplished
this, with the lackey's help; and meantime a second man
had approached, a tall and portly personage, solemn as an
executioner. He bore straight down upon Jurgis, who
shrank away nervously; he seized him by the arm without
a word, and started toward the door with him. Then
suddenly came Master Freddie's voice, "Hamilton! My
fren' will remain wiz me."

The man paused and half released Jurgis. "Come 'long
ole chappie," said the other, and Jurgis started toward him.

[[283]]

p282 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p283w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p284

v?