"Dorothy!"
"Jerold!" came a muffled cry, from somewhere above in a room.
He heard her vainly tugging at a door.
"Go up ahead of me, both of you," he commanded, making a gesture with the gun. "I prefer not to break in the door."
CHAPTER XVII
A RESCUE BY FORCE
Theodore was hesitating, though his father was eager to obey. Garrison stepped a foot forward and thrust the pistol firmly against the young man's body, cocking the hammer.
"I'm going—for the love of Heaven, look out!" cried the craven suddenly, and he backed toward the stairs in haste.
"That's better," said Garrison coldly. "Step lively, please, and don't attempt the slightest treachery unless you are prepared to pay the price."
Theodore had no more than started when the door-bell rang—four little jingles.