One of them tried the door, but found that it was locked.
"Wait a minute," called Ford, and they heard him crossing the room.
Rattleton heard the scratching of a match at the same moment. Something seemed to go wrong with the key, for Ford fumbled at the lock for a moment before he opened the door.
"Hello!" he said in a tone of surprise. "Come right in."
Rattleton dashed past the others, and ran to the fireplace. There was no excuse for a fire in September, but a tiny blaze was there, nevertheless.
Rattleton put his hand upon it instantly, to beat the flame out, and stood up with a partially burned and charred fragment of paper in his hand.
"What are you trying to do?" demanded Ford, indignantly.
"Dock the loor—I mean lock the door," cried Rattleton, excitedly, to Browning.
The latter immediately closed the door, turned the key, and stood with his back to it.
"We'll settle this thing in a hurry," continued Rattleton, shaking the charred paper aloft; "this is a part of Babbitt's examination paper."