"He was bound to have a look for hisself. Here he comes. Well, messmate, where is she?"
"Not there," cried Simons, with an oath. "The room's as empty as we are. There's been no one in it all night."
Bill laughed.
"I knew that, matey. You might have saved yourself the trouble when I sang out. She's—in—here." And he kicked the store door three times with all his might.
"Who is?" said Simons.
"Both on 'em. What did I tell you? They started whisperin' the moment they thought we'd sheered off."
"They're not whisperin' now," said Simons, at the keyhole. "By cripes, let's burst the door in!"
"Hold on," said Bill. "If they're not born fools they'll listen to reason. Out o' the light, matey. See here, ladies, if you walk out now you may live to spin the yarn, but if you don't—" He broke away into nameless blasphemies.
The cruel voice came hoarse and hot through the keyhole. Engelhardt opened his mouth to reply, but Naomi clapped a warm palm upon it, and with the other hand signalled silence to Mrs. Potter.
"We've given 'em their chance," said Bill, after a pause. "Come on, chaps. One, two, all together—now!"