“Come! Where?” cried Chester angrily.
“Where you will, doctor, only we must escape from here. The others are off, and I must go and help save the rest. You don’t wish to see her in the hands of the police, appearing against her brother and his confederates?”
“God help me, no!” cried Chester.
“Come along, then, man. It’s all over now. I knew it must come. Doctor, you saved my life. I must trust you. I know you love her, and that she loves you. I trust her to your honour as a gentleman.”
“You may,” said Chester, “and—”
“Don’t talk, man. Come while the way is open. They’ll break in, as sure as we are here. Come.”
Chester lifted Marion in his arms and bore her toward the door, Robert Clareborough having caught up the doctor’s hat, and led the way into the hall, where the police were thundering at the door; and then downstairs, where sounds were heard from the area, as if someone was trying the door there.
“Shall I take her?” said Robert, as they reached the lower passage.
“No; I can carry her easily.”
“This way, then,” and to Chester’s astonishment he turned into the short passage at the end of which was the ordinary-looking door.