"Yes."
"Do you have to say anything? Must he hear your voice?"
"Yes. And I must hear his."
"Go and say it, and open the door, and leave the rest to us. We shall be behind you."
I did not trust her even then, you see.
We stepped softly out of the room, Mrs. Fordham first, and we at her heels. The passage was dark; I would not allow her to carry a light.
"Who is there?" she asked.
The answer came. "All right, M."
She was in such a state of agitation that she fumbled at the lock. I put my hand warningly on her shoulder, and the door was opened.
"What did you keep me so long for?" cried Maxwell, as he entered. "Is that you, Louis? Everything's ready. What the——"