The elder Sloane returned; the housemaid from Mrs. Bellamy’s who had taken charge of little Maude immediately after Wednesday’s tragedy went out upon an errand and came back before Yost left the Goddard house. When he reached Dennis’ side his former listlessness had vanished.
“Who’s gone out of the Mall?” he demanded.
“Only a hired girl from Mrs. Bellamy’s, and she came in again.” Dennis replied. “What is it? Mac said you’d tell me what to do, and he asked had I a gun with me. I have.”
“Then go take the east gate.” Yost pointed. “Open it if any one wants to come in but let no one out if you have to drill them full of holes! Get me?”
“’Tis the clearest thing I’ve heard this day!” Dennis averred. “I’ll do no drilling but there’ll no one pass me! What in hell is doing, do you know?”
“Only that the inspector’s coming as fast as the chief’s own car can get here and he’s bringing a young army with him! It looks like the end of it, Riordan!—Hey, there goes the Bellamy butler! I’ll have to head him off, for I’m taking the west gate myself. There’s somebody wanting to get in yours.”
Dennis hurried to the gate opening on the Avenue and with much ceremony admitted an open touring car in which sat a young lady so bewilderingly beautiful that he gaped after her in respectful admiration until she disappeared in the Parsons house. Was that the old gentleman’s niece? He was recalled to his present duties only when the chauffeur turned and drove straight toward him once more, halting only a bare few feet away.
“Hi, there! Open the gate!”
“Nothing doing,” Dennis retorted firmly. “Orders from police headquarters. Them that gets in, stays in.”
“Yah! You green rookie! I’m Mr. Parsons’ chauffeur, if that means anything to you, and I’m in a hurry!”