Child as she was, she had been bred amid surroundings which inculcated habits of self-dependence and fertility of resource. Lying there, half-dead with fear, she had still enough sense left to plan out her course of action.
She would go to Miss Adrian’s at once and warn her.
When the three men had agreed together what they were to do, the dark gentleman with the hook nose went out and left Heckett and the foreigner together.
‘That big affair I spoke to you about is ripening, Heckett,’ said the foreigner. ‘We shall rely on you.’
‘I’ll be in it,’ growled the dog-fancier; ‘but I shall want my fair share.’
‘It’ll be the biggest thing you ever did in your life. I shall set Brooks to work directly I’m sure of my ground, and then you must be ready. We may have to start any night.’
The two worthies then conversed together in a lower tone, and presently the foreign gentleman said ‘Good-day’ and went out.
Josh Heckett, left alone, looked about him.
‘I wonder where the deuce that gal’s got to?’ he said.
He came and peered into his own room and went out again.