“You had better let me come in.”
The housekeeper turned the key in the lock, and opened the door.
At the same moment a figure came flying along the corridor from Caryl’s room, and Rhoda Pembury, pale and alarmed, joined the little group of three persons: Sir Robert, Jack Rotherfield, and Mrs. Hawkes.
“What is it? What has happened?” cried the girl. “What is all the noise?”
Sir Robert fell back, reeling.
“Thank God!” he said hoarsely, under his breath, as he looked at her.
She stared at him, trembling, then at Jack Rotherfield, who was striving to get past Mrs. Hawkes; and at the housekeeper, who held him fast by the arm.
The housekeeper suddenly relaxed her hold of Jack and beckoned to Rhoda.
“Come in with me,” she said.
Rhoda staggered back.