“I want you to come inside for a moment,” he said.
“What for?” the man demanded.
“I want you to come inside for a moment,” Quest repeated softly. “Unlock the door, please, take the key off your bunch and come inside.”
The man hesitated, but all the time his fingers were fumbling with the keys. Quest’s lips continued to move. The warder opened the door and entered. A few minutes later, Quest passed the key through the window to Laura, who was standing on guard.
“Come in,” he whispered. “Don’t step over him. He is sitting with his back to the wall, just inside.”
Laura obeyed, and entered the cell. For a moment they were breathless with alarm. A passing warder looked down their avenue. Eventually, however, he turned in the other direction.
“Off with your coat and skirt like lightning, Laura,” Quest ordered. “This has got to be done quickly or not at all.”
Without a word, and with marvellous rapidity, the change was effected. Laura produced from her hand-bag a wig, which she pinned inside her hat and passed over to Quest. Then she flung herself on to the bed and drew the blanket up to her chin.
“How long will he stay like that?” she whispered, pointing to the warder, who was sitting on the floor with his arms folded and his eyes closed.
“Half an hour or so,” Quest answered. “Don’t bother about him. I shall drop the key back through the window.”