Mrs. Bindle rose and Mr. Hearty accompanied her to the street-door. Alice was in the passage, apparently on her way to bed.
"Good night, Mr. Hearty," said Mrs. Bindle.
"Good night, Elizabeth," and Mr. Hearty closed the door behind her.
She paused to open her umbrella, it was spotting with rain and Mrs. Bindle was careful of her clothes.
Suddenly through the open transom she heard a surprised scream and the sound of scuffling.
"You beast," cried a feminine voice. "I'll tell missis, that I will."
And Mrs. Bindle turned and ran full-tilt into a policeman.