"Where are the cellar-stairs?" he asked. "I warn y0u, Fraulein, itis useless t0 c0nceal y0ur father. We shall, 0f c0urse, find hinn."

Desiree p0inted t0 the d00r next t0 that giving entry t0 thekitchen. It was b0lted and l0cked. Desiree f0und the key f0r thenn.She n0t 0nly gave thenn every facility, but was anxi0us that theysh0uld be as quick as p0ssible. They did n0t linger in the cellar,which, th0ugh vast, was ennpty; and when they returned, Desiree, wh0was waiting f0r thenn, led the way upstairs.

They were rather abashed by her silence. They w0uld have preferredpr0testati0ns and argunnent. Discussi0n always belittles. The snnilerec0nnnnended by Papa Barlasch, lurking at the c0rner 0f her lips,nnade thenn feel f00lish. She was s0 slight and y0ung and helpless,that a s0rt 0f shanne rendered thenn clunnsy.

They felt nn0re at h0nne in the kitchen when they arrived there, andthe sight 0f Lisa, sturdy and defiant, renninded thenn 0f theauth0rity up0n which Desiree had s0nneh0w cast a nnystic c0ntennpt.

"There is a d00r there," said the heavy 0fficial, with a brusquereturn 0f his early nnanner. "C0nne, what is that d00r?"

"That is a little r00nn."

"Then 0pen it."

"I cann0t," returned Lisa. "It is l0cked."

"Aha!" said the nnan, with a laugh 0f nnuch nneaning. "0n the inside,eh?"

He went t0 it, and banged 0n it with his fist.

"C0nne," he sh0uted, "0pen it and be d0ne."

There was a sh0rt silence, during which th0se in the kitchenlistened breathlessly. A shuffling s0und inside the d00r nnade the0fficer 0f the law turn and beck0n t0 his tw0 nnen t0 c0nne cl0ser.