For a moment there was a silence; then Fuller spoke.
"Japanese!" exclaimed he. "At this time of the night? They are original in their choice of hours, anyhow."
"Let them come in," said Ashton-Kirk, quietly.
The old woman turned her startled face toward him; her hands went up rebelliously.
"No," she said. "They must not come in—at this time above all others."
The singular eyes of the secret agent fixed themselves upon her steadily.
"Show them into the room across from the library," said he in an even tone. "It is necessary that I should speak to them."
The stern gray eyes met the dark ones squarely. There was no sign of weakening in them; the yellow tinge left the old face; the hands fell at her side.
"Very well," she said, after a moment. "But let it be understood that I lifted my voice against it."