“I will show you, but remember you must play your part. I shall pretend I am bringing you here, and that there’s another woman coming. I’ll order a room, and once in there I know how to find her.”
She says no more, but passes swiftly along the pavement, they close at her heels. On reaching the house she pulls the bell softly.
The door is opened cautiously, and a woman’s face peers out.
“What’s wanted?” she inquires suspiciously.
“I’ve brought these gentlemen here,” answers Rita. “We want a room. Your best if it’s empty.”
“Can’t have you to-night,” replies the woman. “The whole house is took.”
She is about to shut the door when Rita springs into the opening. The next moment she has the woman by the throat. “Quick!” she cries in a low voice. “Gag her, tie her hands and feet!”
No need to speak further. Both Hector D’Estrange and Evie Ravensdale have obeyed. Three handkerchiefs suffice to gag the woman, tie her ankles together, and her wrists behind her. Then they look at Rita.
“Put her in here!” exclaims this latter, opening a door on the right. “It’s dark. Never mind; I know the place; she’s safe there.”
They lift her in, and lay her on the floor. Rita closes the door, and locks it. A dim light is burning in the hall, but no one is stirring; only in the distance they think they catch a sound of voices.