“Precisely,” said the King, and a perceptible shiver passed over him; “but yet stranger things were to happen. Extraordinary precautions were now taken. The surroundings of the room were filled with sentinels, men were posted in the corridors, an officer of the guard stationed in the antechamber. At our side slept our faithful mastiff, Victor--a noble brute, of great sagacity and strength. The doors leading into our apartment were sealed from the inside by our own hand, so that no movement of these doors could be made without disturbing these seals. Were these not precautions enough?” “The value of a precaution is best tested by its efficacy, Sire,” replied Kearns cautiously. “Then,” exclaimed the King, “these precautions were without value, for one night, some four weeks ago, there was another visitation.” “Indeed, Sire?” “Our repose had lasted some two hours when we were sharply awakened by the furious barking of the dog, followed by his savage growls. His head was bent to the ground and he savagely clutched something between his teeth. Nothing in the apartment was disturbed; nothing beyond the actions of the animal was to be noted; the seals on the doors were undisturbed. And yet--between the teeth of the dog was a document, folded and tied together. It contained the same demands, repeated the same threats. With an apartment fifty feet above the ground, armed sentinels filling every avenue, the doors fastened by seals, how did it get there--how did it get there!” cried the King with agitation. “The possibility of a trap door in floor or ceiling, or of a secret entrance of any kind to the chamber is not to be entertained, of course?” asked Kearns. “Not for a moment!” exclaimed the King. “You may pass that by as not needing further consideration. Eh, Milord Ashley?” “Oh, undoubtedly!” answered the Master of the Household. “The apartment has been thoroughly examined from every side. Any secret means of ingress through floor, walls or ceiling is absolutely impossible.” “But there are chimneys--windows?” “Chimneys, no,” replied Lord Ashley. “We warm to-day by electricity and there isn’t a chimney in the whole palace. As to windows, yes; there are four.” “Were they shuttered, or screened?” “Screened?” exclaimed Lord Ashley with bewilderment. “How do you mean--screened?” “Why,” answered Kearns, equally astonished at this observation, “I mean, of course, screened against flies--mosquitoes.” “Flies--mosquitoes!” exclaimed the King and Lord Ashley in the same breath. Both gave a hearty guffaw.