Pagina 395 de 416

Martin, who had been his body-servant while aboard the mystery

schooner, opened the door, and bowed with decided pleasure at

seeing his temporary master. He ventured congratulations that

Schofield was free of the law's shadow.

"Mrs. Mallaby is up-stairs, sir," he said, taking Code's hat.

"Just step into the drawing-room, sir, and I'll call her."

It was a sample of Elsa's taste that she illuminated all her

rooms with the soft flame of candles or the mellow light of

lamps. The mahogany furniture, much of it very old and historic

among the island families, gleamed in the warm lights. There were

built-in shelves of books against one wall, splendid engravings,

etchings, and a few colored prints of the daughters of Louis XV.

Presently Elsa came down the broad staircase. Her hair was parted

simply in the middle and done into two wheels, one over each pink

ear. Her dress was a plain one of China silk with a square Dutch

neck. It fitted her splendid figure beautifully.