“’Op it, I tell you.”
But in open defiance, Dugald Maclean had already begun to untie the string which held the lid of the basket in place. The majestic Kelly rose from his tea. Without further words he seized the young man firmly from behind by the collar of his coat. And then he hustled him as far as the door in a very efficient professional manner, straight into the arms of Eliza, who at that moment was in the act of entering it.
V
At the open door there was a brief scurry of laughter and protest which ended in a riot of confusion. And then happened an odd thing. But of the three persons struggling upon the threshold of Number Five only one was aware of it, and he had the wit to raise a great voice to its highest pitch in order to conceal a fact so remarkable.
“For heaven’s sake hold your noise, Joe, else you’ll frighten the neighbors,” said Eliza, getting in it at last and indulging in suppressed shrieks at the manner of Dugald Maclean’s putting out.
An instant later, the young policeman was in the street and the door of Number Five, Beaconsfield Villas, had closed upon him. But his singular exit was merely the prelude to an incident far more amazing.
In the uproar of Joe had been fell design. As soon as it ceased the reason for it grew apparent. An incredible sound was filling the room.
“Whatever’s that!” Eliza almost shrieked in sheer wonderment.
Harriet’s behavior was different. For a moment she was spellbound. The look in her eyes verged upon horror.
It seemed that a child was crying lustily.