Kennedy and the officer followed just behind, and the three threw their weights on the door almost before we knew what they were about.
"Chester—don't!" cried Inez in alarm, too late. "He'll—kill you!"
The excitement had been too much for her. She reeled, fainting, and I caught her.
Before I could restore the davenport to something like its original condition so that we could take care of her, the first onslaught was over.
Three guns were sticking their blue noses into the darkness of the next room.
"Hands up!" shouted Craig, "Drop your gun! Let me hear it fall!"
There followed a thud and Kennedy, followed by Lockwood and the officer entered.
As they fumbled to strike a light, I managed to open a window and let in some fresh air, while the Senora, for once human, loosened the throat of Inez' dress and fanned her.
Through the open door, now, I could hear what was going on in the next room, but could not see.
"It was you, Lockwood," I heard a familiar voice accusing, "who was in the Museum the night the dagger disappeared."