He made up his mind at once. Although he loved all those sumptuous toys which he regarded as legitimate trophies and pleasant memories of his exploits of long ago, there was no avarice in his fondness for them, and, however much he might regret being unable to resort to them any longer to the profit of his beloved Mario's magnificence, he did not hesitate between that sacrifice and the welfare of Lucilio, concerning which he was much more anxious than concerning his own. "Let it be as you wish, monsieur!" he said, with a magnanimous smile. "Where is it your pleasure that we begin?" The councillor glanced about the salon. "You have many beautiful and costly things here," he said carelessly; "but I see nothing reprehensible, and I know that you would not conceal your instruments of deviltry in rooms that are open to every comer. I have heard of a closed chamber which you call your storeroom, and to which you do not admit everybody. That is where I should like to go, and I desire you to lead me thither without remonstrance or deception; for not only have I a plan of your house, which is not large, but I have the means to turn everything topsy-turvy, and I should be distressed to have to proceed to that extremity." "It will not be necessary," rejoined the marquis, taking a torch; "I am ready to satisfy you.--Ah! by the way," he added, stopping at the door, "I have not the keys of that room, and I cannot admit you without the aid of my old servant. Is it your pleasure that I call him?" "I will send for him," said the councillor opening the door. And he said to his men, who were on the landing: "One of you obey Monsieur de Bois-Doré.--Give your orders, marquis. What is your servant's name?" The marquis, seeing that he was entirely in his guest's power and was to be kept in sight, resigned himself to the inevitable, and he was about to name Adamas, without any display of useless anger, when that worthy's face appeared behind those of the pikemen who were guarding the door. "Adamas," he said, "bring me the keys of the storeroom. "Yes, monsieur," was the reply "I have them about me, here they are; but----" "Come in," said the councillor to Adamas. And, when he had obeyed, he added: "Give me the keys, and remain in this room." Adamas seemed overwhelmed. He felt in the pocket of his doublet, and replied to the councillor, with a surprising lack of self-possession: "_Yes, sire._" At that word, the councillor, as if attacked by vertigo, laid aside his suave manner, rushed across the room, and hurriedly closed the door between himself and his men, which had been left open. "To whom do you think you are speaking?" he cried, "and why do you address me so?" Adamas stood as if dazed, and his confusion was amusing to the last degree.