oms belonging to another."

"Well, I am here, at any rate, and have the mastery as well as the
occupancy of the place. Will you open the door?"

"If I please."

"Well, _do_ you please?"

"And if I do not?"

"Then I shall enter by another way."

"As I am not overly anxious to see a _master_, you may enter as you can."

"Very well."

Eveline chose not to open the door for two reasons: first, she wished to
ascertain whether or not there _was_ a secret passage between the rooms;
and, secondly, if Duffel's assertion in regard to the matter should prove
true, she wished to know at what point the entrance was situated, that, if
need be, in any future movements she might make, obstructions could be
placed in the way of ingress. One thing, however, perplexed her a little;
she could not keep her eyes on all sides of the room at once, and Duffel
might come from some quarter unawares, and take her at advantage, ere she
could meet his attack. Thought is very rapid in times of danger, if
presence of mind is retained, and the difficulty stated had fixed her
attention but a few seconds, ere several plans of release had suggested
themselves and been abandoned; but at length it occurred to her, that as it
was impossible for the secret door to be in the same place as the other
one, she would be perfectly safe, in taking a position against the latter,
from any possibility of surprise, and standing there she could seem more at
her ease than in any other position, where her continued watchfulness would
betray anxiety.

She had scarcely placed herself in the posture desired, before she saw a
portion of the wall to her right slowly move from its place, and presently
a mass, the size of a small door, stood out fairly into the room, and from
behind it stole the villain, in such a manner as to leave no doubt of his
intentions to surprise her, if possible. Seeing she was prepared for his
reception, and aware of his entrance, he closed the door, and, boldly
stepping into the room, addressed her thus:

"So, incredulous fair one, you see I am here, notwithstanding your
disbelief in my word."

"Yes; I see you are here."

"Well, that is a very cordial welcome to an old friend, certainly. In what
school have you taken lessons in hospitality and politeness?"

"In one where I have learned to treat insolence according to its deserts."

"Indeed! then I think we must have graduated at the same institution.
Perhaps we had as well try each oth