"Say," he exclaimed, pointing to the clock, "come across—twenty-three, sixty."
Protesting, I peeled off some more bills.
Having satisfied this veritable anaconda and gorged his dilating appetite for banknotes, I turned to follow the others. Jennings had opened the door immediately. Whether it was that he retained a grudge against me or whether he did not see me, he would have closed it before I could get up there. I called and took the steps two at a time.
Elaine's Aunt Josephine was waiting for us in the drawing room, very much worried. The dear old lady was quite scandalized as Elaine excitedly told of the thrilling events that had just taken place.
"And to think they—actually—carried you!" she exclaimed, horrified, adding, "And I not—"
"But Mr. Kennedy came along and saved me just in time," interrupted
Elaine with a smile. "I was well chaperoned!"
Aunt Josephine turned to Craig gratefully. "How can I ever thank you enough, Mr. Kennedy," she said fervently.
Kennedy was quite embarrassed. With a smile, Elaine perceived his discomfiture, not at all displeased by it.
"Come into the library," she cried gaily, taking his arm. "I've something to show you."
Where the old safe which had been burnt through had stood was now a brand new safe of the very latest construction and design—one of those that look and are so formidable.