“Something has happened, I fear,” she said to herself, and then going to the door, bent her head to listen, an expression of great anxiety on her face.
She could hear nothing, however; but apparently not quite satisfied, she ventured to unlock the door and peer forth into the hall. This was Earle Wayne’s opportunity.
With noiseless tread he stepped quickly up to her, and, before she was hardly aware of his intention, pushed the door open, forced her back into the room, and entered himself.
Another instant and the door was again shut, locked, and the key in his pocket.
His next movement was to see if the door leading into that other room was locked also.
It proved to be, but the key was in the lock, and he pocketed this, too, thus gaining all the power he wanted for the present.
The whole transaction had not occupied above six or seven minutes, nor had a word been spoken; but Earle had done a good thing, for in that time he had captured single-handed, one of the most successful robbers in the United States, as well as his accomplice, and doubtless had saved the girl he loved from even greater sufferings than she had already experienced.
With this accomplished, and both keys in his pocket, he now turned his attention to the occupant of the bed.
But Editha had fainted dead away.