“This way, miss, if you please.”
“One of them has escaped,” said Mr. Goddard.
“No,” whispered Lord Manton; “it’s only Wilkins moving Miss Blow into the big drawing-room. Wait a minute.”
They heard Wilkins’ voice again. This time it was nearer than it had been.
“I beg your pardon, miss, but if you’ll allow me to show you the way. You’re going in quite the wrong direction, miss.”
Mr. Goddard clutched Lord Manton’s arm. “She’s coming down here,” he said. “We’d better——”
“It’s all right,” whispered Lord Manton. “Wilkins will head her off.”
“I’m going in the direction in which I mean to go.”
This voice was unmistakably Miss Blow’s. It was clear, resonant, determined, and sounded very near at hand.