But Crockett, catching Margery by the shoulder with his free hand, held her powerfully at arm's length and only smiled at Merriam's revolver.
"Why?" he asked into the telephone, and added quickly, "Nothing! These girls are romping so!"
But his words could hardly be heard for Margery's screaming. He dropped the receiver and put the hand thus freed over the mouthpiece.
"Shut up!" he said fiercely to Margery, and gave her shoulder a violent wrench.
"O--oh!" she groaned.
Something had to be done instantly, for Crockett was turning back to the telephone. With a sort of impulsive desperation Merriam threw the revolver at Crockett's head. The man dodged, and the revolver struck the opposite wall and fell to the floor. But the movement took him away from the telephone, and Merriam, rushing forward, added the impetus of a straight-arm thrust, which sent him staggering against the table.
Then Merriam caught up the receiver.
"Hello! Hello!" he cried into the mouthpiece.
For an instant no reply. Then Central's voice said sweetly:
"Your party's hung up." And added, in tones of unwonted interest: "What's the row there? Shall I send the police?"