"There are a number of police at the door, sir."
A loud knock at that instant confirmed her words.
It was a pretty fix in all truth, and I stood hesitating in perplexity what to do, when the knocking was repeated more insistently.
Obviously there was nothing for it but to admit the police, so I sent Ellen downstairs, and prepared to meet the crisis with as bold a face as possible.
CHAPTER V
ALTHEA'S STORY
I opened the door and found three men there, two of them in police uniform.
"Herr Dormund is here?" asked one of them.
"Yes," I said, and they entered.
"We must see him at once."