"I sha'n't go to sleep anyway, Auntie, so—"
The ringing of the door bell startled them. Alix sprang to her feet in alarm.
"Don't go to the door!" she cried. "It's—it's Courtney Thane!"
"Nonsense! He'll not be coming here. Sit down. I'll inquire who it is before I open the door."
"Under no circumstances are you to let him in, Mrs. Strong," ordered Alix peremptorily.
"I should say not! It would look pretty, wouldn't it, if the papers came out and said the notorious bandit was captured in the home of Miss Alix Crown, the beautiful and wealthy heiress? They always—" The bell rang again. "Put the cream in yourself, Alix. I'll see who it is."
Alix followed her with anxious, apprehensive eyes as she passed into the hall. She heard the following dialogue:
"Who is it?"
"Does Miss Crown live here?" came in a clear, boyish voice from the outside.
"She does. Who are you and what do you want?"