Keeping up my policy of bluff, I opened it myself. The officer was on the step and started in surprise at seeing me. He was a pleasant-faced young fellow, and taking me for a superior officer was disposed to offer an apology. Bluff is an excellent policy while you can keep your end up.
“Oh, I thought only a sergeant was here,” he said.
“I deemed it best to come myself,” I answered. “Can’t you keep the crowd in order?”
“They are very strong and inclined to violence. We’ve driven them back for a bit; but I’ve sent for more men.”
I knew they would be on hand sooner than he thought or I wished; but I replied, seriously: “Very prudent. This sort of thing is not what we want at all. The house was to be protected.”
“We did not look for such a demonstration,” he said again, apologetically.
“Well, I have made the arrest, but I had more trouble than I anticipated; there was a stout resistance. I wish to take the prisoner away without exposing her to the mob. Let your men clear the side street of people, and prevent anyone passing into it. I shall leave the house by the garden through the stables.”
“We are strong enough to protect her from the crowd.”
“I prefer the other way, lieutenant. Be good enough to see my order carried out,” I replied sharply.
“I’ll have it done at once,” and he went away.