"Yes, and hurry! Helen may come at any moment."
He had barely spoken when the knob of the door turned. A quick knock was heard at the same instant and Helen's voice rang through the hall:
Norton grasped the pistol, thrust it under the table-cover and pressed the boy toward the door:
"Quick! Open it, at once!"
Tom stared in a stupor, unable to move until his father shook his arm:
"Quick—open it—let her in a moment—it's best."
He opened the door and Helen sprang in breathlessly.