A curse from one of the indignant officers silenced him.
At that instant Mr. Ray sprang upon a seat and explained the situation. His voice was clear and distinct, every person in the house heard it.
A perfect storm of hisses followed his remarks, and for a moment it looked as if the entire audience intended making a rush for the professor.
Cries of “The villain!” “The scoundrel!” sounded on all sides, for in an instant every one appreciated the terrible crime he had committed.
A score of hands were reached forward and Dollie was lifted straight over the footlights and placed in the arms of her noble sister.
As Marion clasped her in her arms, Mr. Ray and Bert tried to lead the two girls out, while the crowd, as soon as it saw Dollie’s girlish, frightened face, yelled with one voice: “Lynch him! Lynch the rascally professor!”
The officers hurried their prisoner away and the detective came back. He had found Dollie’s hat and gloves and something to wrap around her.
The crowd made way for them to pass, and as they passed a mighty cheer went up that almost shook the building.
“Hurrah for the brave country girl!” they screamed and howled. “Three cheers for the farmer’s daughter who came to the city to save her sister!”
Marion wept with delight as Mr. Ray bundled them both into a carriage, and as for Dollie, she clung to her sister and cried both from fear and pleasure.