Her
carriage, her figure, were unmistakable. It was Elizabeth who
was paying this early morning visit next door! Already the
little party had disappeared. They did not even ring the bell.
The door must have been opened silently at their coming. The
motor-car glided off. Once more the Terrace was deserted.
Tavernake felt sure that he knew now the solution,--there was a
way from this house into the next one. He struck another match
and, standing back a few yards, looked critically at the dividing
wall. In ancient days this had evidently been a dwelling-house
of importance, elaborately decorated, as the fresco work upon the
ceiling still indicated. The wall had been divided into three
panels, with a high wainscoting. Inch by inch he examined it
from one end to the other; he started from the back and came
toward the front. About three-quarters of the way there, he
paused. It was very simple, after all. The solid wall for a
couple of feet suddenly ceased, and the design was continued with
an expanse of stretched canvas, which yielded easily to his
finger. He leaned his ear against it; he could hear now
distinctly the sound of voices--he heard even the woman's
laughter. For the height of about four feet the wall had been
bodily removed. He made a small hole in the canvas--there was
still darkness. He enlarged the hole until he could thrust his
hand through--there was nothing but canvas the other side. He
knew now where he was.
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