retreated to the doorway to watch his movements.

"This," Edmund went on, "is to be put in the baron's room."

"Yes, but how?" asked Manners, perceiving that some sort of a remark
was expected of him.

"Cannot I, who have invented it, find some means for conveying the
engine there?" replied the inventor, with staggering emphasis.

Manners deferentially bowed his acquiescence, much to the amusement of
Sir Ronald.

"You must not heed his words," whispered the knight. "He is infatuated
with his work. In all things else he is as timid as a mouse."

"And then," pursued the mighty alchemyst, "and then--! Nay, I will
show thee, see!" and with some difficulty he forced open a little door
at the side.

Both Manners and Sir Ronald moved forward to examine it, for the room
was but faintly lighted and they could barely see the dim outline of
the instrument.

"Go back, go back," screamed Edmund. "Ronald, I look for no treachery
from thee."

"Tush," contemptuously replied the knight, as he poured some more oil
into the lamp, "get on. We did but want to see."