There were no doors on that street.
Going around the corner, however, Rolla saw a high archway at the far
corner of the structure. Approaching near enough to peek in, she saw
that this arch provided an opening into a long corridor, such as might
once have served as a wagon or auto entrance. After a little hesitation
she went in.
She passed a door, a massive thing of solid brassy metal, such as
interested the doctor immensely but only served to confuse the explorer.
A little farther on, and the corridor became pretty dark. She passed
another brass door, and approached the end of the pavement. There was
one more door there; and she noted with excitement that it was open.
She came closer and peered in. The room was fairly well lighted, and
what she saw was clear-cut and unmistakable. In the middle of the room
was a long table, and seated about it, in perfect silence, sat an even
dozen men.
XIII
THE TWELVE
For a minute or two Rolla was not observed. She simply stood and stared,
being neither confident enough to go forward nor scared enough to
retreat. Childlike, she scrutinized the group with great thoroughness.
Their comparatively white faces and hands puzzled her most. Also, she
could not understand the heavy black robes in which all were dressed.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133