"No, no," said Cleek, catching Ailsa in a fervent embrace while Dollops picked up the revolver which had fallen from Margot's hand.
"Through here, Dollops. There's a side door and a carriage she said."
Quickly the three stepped out into a deserted corridor. Even if the Countess had heard the shot, she had evidently obeyed orders. Not a soul was in sight, and darting down the corridor to the door at the end, they found it led out to a small gate in the high surrounding wall.
Outside there waited a carriage, and Cleek, muttering a well-remembered password, bade the driver take them to Charing Cross. But when that individual drew up at the station and a porter opened the carriage door, its passengers had strangely vanished.
But it was not until Cleek had seen Ailsa safe in her own room that he dared give a sigh of relief.
"Good boy, Dollops," he said, softly, as that individual hovered over them both. "How did you manage it?"
"Looked himportant, sir, and swore at the footman. That's the way to treat their sort, sir. Works hevery time."
"Maybe you're right, boy," said Cleek.