The Affair at the Semiramis Hotel

Calladin, a young, wealthy Englishman whom Ricardo had known before, hurried to Ricardo's London house in the morning while Hano was on his way to visit. Very excited, still officially dressed as an evening ball, Calladin tells his disturbing story: That night he went to a costume party in the hotel ballroom, where he met a beautiful young woman, Joan Karia, with whom he danced, ate and talked. During the dances, Joan's eyes settled on a lady in a solid costume, obviously wealthy. Calladin was surprised, but he didn't ask why he was fond of that woman. Joan and Calladin leave the party, and Joan escapes at 1:30 a.m. A few hours later, Joan appears very sad at the door of Calladin's apartment. He lets him in. He says that the lady is obsessed with the pearls she wears; about finding the kidnapped key of the lady's hotel suite; that he entered the room at night to steal pearls, but was surprised by other thieves who were in the dark room, catching and tying him up when he lost consciousness; it's about waking up early in the morning and finding yourself on the couch, motionless in bed, disconnected from a seemingly dead rich lady; then he escapes, seeking Calladin's help. Ricardo and Hano accompany Calladin to his home. As Calladin drowns, Hano finds the secret beans of mezcal, a hallucinogenic plant. On the mantle there is a porcelain figure of a woman that looks exactly as described by Calledadin Joan. Hano's intelligent mind wonders if Calladin's story is true or a fantasy imagined in a vivid mescaline dream. Then he and Ricardo try to solve the mystery.

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