Turning to the right they mounted
the Scala Pia. At the entrance to the courtyard of San Damaso there were
other guards, other salutes, and an order given by the priest in a low
tone; Benedetto did not hear it. They crossed the courtyard, leaving the
entrance to the library on their left and on their right the door by
which the Pope's apartments are reached. High above them the glass of
the Logge shone in the moonlight. Benedetto, recalling an audience the
late Pontiff had granted him, was astonished at being conducted by this
strange way. Having crossed the courtyard in a straight line, the priest
entered the narrow passage leading to the small stairway called "dei
Mosaici," and stopped before the door opening on the right, where the
stairway called "del Triangolo" descends. "Are you acquainted with the
Vatican?" he inquired.
"I am acquainted with the Museums and the Logge," Benedetto replied.
"The predecessor of the present Pontiff once received me in his private
apartment; but I am not acquainted with any other parts."
"You have never been here?"
"Never.
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