Her hearers were the more delighted because it was so spontaneous, and there was not the least affectation about it.  During these days no one had even suggested that she should make music, or be anything except the ‘daughter of Lord Creedmore’s old friend.’  But now, apparently, she had sat down to the piano to give them all a concert, for the sheer pleasure of singing, and they were not only pleased with her, but with themselves; for the public, and especially audiences, are more easily flattered by a great artist who chooses to treat his hearers as worthy of his best, than the artist himself is by the applause he hears for the thousandth time.

So the Senorita da Cordova held the party at Craythew spellbound while other things were happening very near them which would have interested them much more than her trills, and her ‘mordentini,’ and her soaring runs, and the high staccato notes that rang down from the ceiling as if some astounding and invisible instrument were up there, supported by an unseen force.

Meanwhile Paul Griggs and Logotheti had stopped a moment in the first of the rooms that contained the library, on their way to the old study beyond.

It was almost dark amongst the huge oak bookcases, and both men stopped at the same moment by a common instinct, to agree quickly upon some plan of action.  They had led adventurous lives, and were not likely to stick at trifles, if they believed themselves to be in the right; but if they had left the drawing-room with the distinct expectation of anything like a fight, they would certainly not have stopped to waste their time in talking.

The Greek spoke first.

‘Perhaps you had better let me do the talking,’ he said.

‘By all means,’ answered Griggs.  ’I am not good at that.  I’ll keep quiet, unless we have to handle them.’

’All right, and if you have any trouble I’ll join in and help you.  Just set your back against the door if they try to get out while I am speaking.’

‘Yes.’

That was all, and they went on in the gathering gloom, through the three rooms of the library, to the door of the old study, from which a short winding staircase led up to the two small rooms which Griggs was occupying.

Three quiet men in dark clothes were standing together in the twilight, in the bay window at the other side of the room, and they moved and turned their heads quickly as the door opened.  Logotheti went up to them, while Griggs remained near the door, looking on.

‘What can I do for you?’ inquired the Greek, with much urbanity.

‘We wished to speak with Mr. Van Torp, who is stopping here,’ answered the one of the three men who stood farthest forward.

‘Oh yes, yes!’ said Logotheti at once, as if assenting.  ’Certainly!  Lady Maud Leven, Lord Creedmore’s daughter—­Lady Creedmore is away, you know—­has asked us to inquire just what you want of Mr. Van Torp.’