All these people turned and stared as the doctor entered the room with his three companions, masked, shrouded in their slouch hats and long cloaks.
“Now,” whispered La Reynie in the ear of his prisoner; a spasm passed over the physician’s face; then, by a frantic effort, he assumed composure which surprised even La Reynie and Desgrez; stepping up to the altar, he said with an air of authority:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are honoured tonight with the presence of the Grand Master himself, our unknown chief! The man who supplies the materials with which we work has recently returned from Italy and intends to be present at tonight’s ceremony.”
“Surely,” thought Desgrez, “they will not accept that.”
But to his amazement the company made no demur. There was a movement among them; some of the
