But he was gone: to reappear, a minute later, with a face whiter than ever.
"The mistress wants you at on'st, sir, if you'll follow me. William, run out and see if you can raise another cab—four-wheeler."
"What, at this time of night?" answered William. "Get along with you!"
"Do your best, lad." Mr. Horrex appealed gently but with pathetic dignity. "If there's miracles indoors there may be miracles outside. This way, sir!"
He led me to the library-door, knocked softly, opened it, and stood aside for me to enter.
Within stood his mistress, confronting another policeman!
Her hands rested on the back of a library-chair: and though she stood up bravely and held herself erect with her finger-tips pressed hard into the leather, I saw that she was swaying on the verge of hysterics, and I had the sense to speak sharply.
"What's the meaning of this?" I demanded.
"This one—comes from Marlborough Street!" she gasped.
I stepped back to the door, opened it, and, as I expected, discovered Horrex listening.