Her hand was on the latch.
“Oh, never in this world! I have no intention of letting the police take you—you haven’t done anything but try to help your brother, like the fine girl you are; and that’s all over. Where’s Drake?”
Her gravity passed instantly and her laugh greeted his ears again. He was running the car slowly along a curb, his head bent to hear.
“Listen! Robert telephoned just as I was leaving the office. I told him to keep away from the house. When I saw you in the bank I knew Bob was here, but I thought he’d be out of the way; but he wouldn’t go until dark, and I would have telephoned you but I was afraid. I really meant to tell you at the house that Robert wasn’t there and wouldn’t be there; but Bob was so ugly I made you go with us, because I wanted your help. I thought if they nailed us you would pull Bob through. And now you don’t really mind—do you?” she concluded tearfully.
“Well, what about Drake? If he’s still——”
She bent closer and he heard her murmurous laugh again.
“I told Robert I’d meet him at the courthouse—by the steps nearest the police station—at seven o’clock. That’s the safest place I could think of.”
Burgess nodded and the machine leaped forward.
“We’ve got ten minutes to keep that date, Nellie. But I’m going to be mighty late for dinner!”