“I'll not do it!” she whispered back.
“Open it, or I will,” he ordered.
Their gazes held a moment longer while Barney rattled at the lock. Then slowly, falteringly, her amazed eyes over her shoulder upon him, Maggie crossed and unlocked the door. Barney entered, Old Jimmie just bend him.
“I say, Maggie, what was the big idea in keeping us—” he was beginning in a grumbling tone, when he saw Larry just beyond her. His complaint broke off in mid-breath; he stopped short and his dark face twitched with his surprise.
“Larry Brainard!” he finally exclaimed. Old Jimmie, suddenly tense, blinked and said nothing.
“Hello, Barney; hello, Jimmie,” Larry greeted his former allies, putting on an air of geniality. “Been a long time since we three met. Don't stand there in the door. Come right in.”
Barney was keen enough to see, though Larry's attitude was careless and his tone light, that his eyes were bright and hard. Barney moved forward a couple of paces, alert for anything, and Old Jimmie followed. Maggie looked on at the three men, her girlish figure taut and hardly breathing.
“Didn't know you were in New York,” said Barney.
“Well, here I am all right,” returned Larry with his menacing cheerfulness.
By now Barney had recovered from his first surprise. He felt it time to assert his supremacy.