Because she was wearing soft heelless slippers, Carmella’s feet made no sound as she moved over the thick carpet and hurried to the end of the corridor.
The stairs were almost in darkness, but she found her way down and the floor beneath it had a light burning every twenty yards, while those in between had been extinguished.
It was not too difficult for her to find her way along the passage that led to the East wing, where the secretary’s room was located.
Carmella walked on cautiously, listening intently for the sound of a nightwatchman.
Then, as she turned the corner she saw at once one come out of the secretary’s room and, carrying his lantern in his hand, he walked in the opposite direction.
This meant, she knew, that she was safe for a long time.
She thought that luck was now wi
