“I’m ready!” cried Bert, clenching his fists and setting his teeth.
“Lead the way!” said Dr. Brookes, snatching up his hat immediately.
“Have you a revolver?” was Mr. Ray’s astonishing question.
Miss Allyn rushed to her trunk and brought out a small weapon.
“I keep it for burglars; it’s better than nothing,” she said, briefly; “but how about the police? Can’t they aid you in this matter?”
“They would only bungle it,” was Mr. Ray’s evasive reply. “Marion has been lured into the apartments of a wicked woman and while I do not fear that she will meet with bodily harm——”
Miss Allyn interrupted him before he could finish.
“Go, at once!” she said, quickly, “we will be calm and wait for you.”
As the three young men tramped noisily down the stairs, poor, frightened Dollie went promptly into hysterics.
“Hush! Don’t cry, Dollie!” said Miss Allyn, sternly. “If those three young men who love Marion cannot save her, I shall be greatly mistaken; besides, if you cry so you will not be able to hear what Miss Ray tells me, and I am sure you wish to know what has happened to your sister!”