wenty by thirty
feet. They would then remove the beams which supported the roof during the
operations. When the plastering was finished and the gilding applied, this
would form, as seen from below, a handsome frame to the sky. The architect
also explained how the truncated roof would be secured to the frame,
forming a whole as firm as a rock, and how a light iron sash, completely
glazed, could be drawn along the two transverse T irons, thus opening or
closing the hall as desired.

"The whole thing's worked from below by electricity," said Jimmy.

"How long will it take?" asked Harrasford.

"It's all ready. It's only got to be fixed up," said the architect.

"And how much? Give me the detailed account to-night, at the station. I'll
study it on my way to Berlin." And, turning to the workmen, "_Faites vite!
Depechez_!"

They were the only words of French he knew, a vocabulary no more extensive
than Lily's, but of a different kind.

"And the lights?" asked Harrasford, before he went down again.

"Here, there," said Jimmy, "on steel rods, connected by electric wires."

"That'll dish the Berlin Winter Garden, with its stars set in black
velvet," said Harrasford.

And he followed Jimmy toward the stage wall, which stood out above the
roof of the auditorium. Here some other workmen were cutting a doorway.

"Let's go and see the floor now."

And Harrasford plunged through the door, followed by Jimmy. They crossed
the fly-galleries and

made for the blocked staircases. Before they went down, Jimmy called his
attention to a pulley which was being fixed to the ceiling and which was
to carry a rope with a stirrup for the performer's foot, to enable him to
reach the stage in a few seconds, after doing the trick.

"Very good," said Harrasford.

In half an hour, he had visited everything: the roof, the flies, the
cellar, the auditorium, the front entrance. Workmen were hurrying
everywhere. Harrasford encouraged them with a slap on the shoulder:

"_Depechez! Faites vite_!"

They were working at everything at once, from the new installation of
electric light and the steam-heating apparatus, in the basement, to the
emergency exits and the main lobby. Upholsterers were taking measurements
in the front boxes. The sound of the hammer rang out from top to bottom,
amid a cloud of dust; men climbed the scaffoldings, hoisted up things; and
the sight of all this activity gave the impression of a plan thought out
in advance, exe