in than they were at others. Marco knew this, and they managed to
be within sight of the house or to pass it at these hours. For two
days they saw no sign of the person they wished to see, but one morning
the gates were thrown open and they saw flowers and palms being taken
in.

"She has been away and is coming back," said Marco. The next day they
passed three times--once at the hour when fashionable women drive out
to do their shopping, once at the time when afternoon visiting is most
likely to begin, and once when the streets were brilliant with lights
and the carriages had begun to roll by to dinner-parties and theaters.

Then, as they stood at a little distance from the iron gates, a
carriage drove through them and stopped before the big open door which
was thrown open by two tall footmen in splendid livery.

"She is coming out," said The Rat.

They would be able to see her plainly when she came, because the lights
over the entrance were so bright.

Marco slipped from under his coat sleeve a carefully made sketch.

He looked at it and The Rat looked at it.

A footman stood erect on each side of the open door. The footman who
sat with the coachman had got down and was waiting by the carriage.
Marco and The Rat glanced again with furtive haste at the sketch. A
handsome woman appeared upon the threshold. She paused and gave some
order to the footman who stood on the right. Then she came out in the
full light and got into the carriage which drove out of the courtyard
and quite near the place where the two boys waited.

When it was gone, Marco drew a long breath as he tore the sketch into
very small pieces indeed. He did not throw them away but put them into
his pocket.

The Rat drew a long breath also.

"Yes," he said positively.

"Yes," said Marco.

When they were safely shut up in their room over the baker's shop, they
discussed the chances of their being able to pass her in such a way as
would seem accidental. Two common boys could not enter the courtyard.
There was a back entrance for tradespeople and messengers. When she
drove, she would always enter her carriage from the same place. Unless
she sometimes walked, they could not approach her. What should be
done? The thing was difficult. After they had talked some time, The
Rat sat and gnawed his nails.

"To-morrow afternoon," he broke out at last, "we'll watch and see if
her carriage drives in for her--then, when she comes to the door,