In wild excitement Mary looked at the clock. It was ten minutes to six. She lit the fire hurriedly, and urged it into flame with the bellows. Then she lit two candles on the mantlepiece to supplement the single gas jet, and drew the curtain over the window.
At six o'clock precisely she heard rapid steps, light, springy steps, coming up the stairs. There was a momentary hesitation, and then came two loud, firm knocks at her door. She opened it almost immediately, and then started in uncontrollable surprise.
The man who stood before her was the tall man with the mustard-coloured beard and the face pale as linen.
CHAPTER V "TO INAUGURATE A REVOLUTION!"
The strange-looking man bowed.
"Miss Mary Marriott, I think!" he said.
"Yes," Mary answered. "Please come in. I have had a telegram from Mr. Seaton, the agent."
"Yes, he sent me here," said the tall man in a singularly fluid and musical voice.