got up and ran here and there in the dark, finding no one, but coming suddenly in contact with the electric light, he switched it on.
"To his unspeakable astonishment he found himself alone in the room. Except for the confusion he himself had caused, there was not the least sign of any other presence—except about the box. The paper wrappings of the box had been torn and stripped away, however; the box itself stood open and the great emerald was gone! Both doors were still locked and bolted from the inside; the windows were still closed and fastened down. Moreover, below the windows was a straight drop of ten floors.
"At this instant the envoy's attendants succeeded in forcing the door. Two of them remained to guard the opening, while the others entered the room. Their examination
