“I suppose Hell’s a bit like this,” was all that Adolph found to say.
Half-an-hour later the two girls were escorted by Mrs. Knumf to the discreet, private entrance to the brothel. They had been rescued with the utmost difficulty, and both of them were now shaken and a little distraught.
“You would like to rest, I’m sure,” said Mrs. Knumf, leading the way to a double-bedded room.
“You are very kind,” said Marie, looking at her a little distrustfully. Then she turned to her sister who was seated on the edge of one of the beds, trembling a little.
“Undress yourself, dear,” she said, “we will stay here until the morning.”
“You will have some refreshment first?” asked Mrs. Knumf.
But Marie refused, and the woman, walking quickly to the door, vanished. Almost immediately, through a second door on the opposite side of the room, Adolph and Tansy entered.
“Well, ladies,” said Adolph, looking keenly at Marie, “it was a narrow escape, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” answered Marie, impulsively; “we owe you our lives. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
She moved over towards Alys as though to protect her.