“What does this mean, sir?” asked Barosa, indignantly.
“You need have no fear now, Mr. Donnington,” added madame.
I replied to Barosa. “Those men have been telling you that I am a spy and you have come in to question me. This lady has assured me that I have nothing to fear from you. You will therefore have the goodness to get the key of that door and lock it on this side. Then we can talk, but not till then.”
“I shall not do anything of the sort,” he replied hotly.
“Then I shall shove these things back in position;” and I began.
“Dr. Barosa will get the key, Mr. Donnington,” put in madame; and she appealed to him with a look. “He has saved my life, doctor,” she said in an undertone.
I noticed that she did not now call him by his Christian name as in the first flush of her relief.
He hesitated a second or two and then with an angry shrug of the shoulders complied.
“I’ll take the key, doctor,” I said quietly; and when he stood irresolute, I pushed past him and drew it out of the lock. “Now we can talk, and I’m ready to answer any questions, in reason, which you like to ask.”
“Your conduct is very extraordinary, sir.”