They encountered Hodgson in the dimly lighted hall.
“Are you going out with Mr. Mallory, sir?” questioned the old servant.
The gun nudged Bob. He realized that Hodgson did not know that Mallory had departed half an hour before.
The old servant’s poor eyes could distinguish but the forms of two men. The blankness of his gaze indicated that Hodgson was simply assuming the other man’s identity.
“Yes,” said Bob huskily, “I’m going out for a while, Hodgson.”
“You have the key with you, sir?”
“Yes, Hodgson.”
“All right, sir. Shall I wait up?”
Bob hesitated. If Hodgson remained waiting for him, it might be to his advantage. The old servant would suspect something wrong if he did not return.
“You might do that, Hodgson,” he said.