“For de Lord,” Hi said.
He and Rosa clutched each other, shaking with laughter.
“Oh, you lovely angels, keep away the flies,” said the porter and settled himself to sleep again.
“Come along,” Hi whispered. “He’s asleep. We must slide down the banisters of this flight. Don’t kick old Keblonk as you pass.”
All was dark on the ground floor, but far away some servant was already sweeping. This was the only sound save the occasional crackle in the wicker chairs, as though some ghost had sat down or arisen. In front of them was the main entrance of the hotel, a glass barrier, broad steps with deserted offices at each side, then the front doors. A light was burning in the office to the left. Hi stole forward upon tip-toe.
“The night porter’s asleep in the office,” he whispered.
He stole through the glass doors and tried the front doors, which were locked and the key not there.
“The key’s gone,” he whispered.
“It’s in the office, I expect,” she said.
He looked, but could not see it on the key hooks nor on the table.