Chick politely stepped aside, and let them precede him down the stairs.
Without so much as a glance at him again, both women fell into a conventional talk as they descended toward the street.
Chick reached the sidewalk close upon their heels, however.
The touring-car still stood at the curb—but there was no sign of Patsy in any direction.
The policeman was lingering near-by, with an air of indifference and a vacant stare across the opposite Common.
From some little distance away a few curious observers were gazing toward the car, wondering at what they had seen, but the officer had made sure that they were too remote to attract attention.
Neither woman noticed them as she crossed the sidewalk and quickly entered the car.
In another moment it was under way, with Claudia Badger at the wheel, and presently was speeding up Boylston Street.
Chick now turned to the policeman, who received him with a significant grin.
“What do you say, officer?” demanded Chick.