Lilas herself opened the door at his knock, but showed some reluctance at admitting him until he murmured the magic word "Headquarters," whereupon she fell back with a look of startled inquiry in her eyes. The stranger did not trouble to remove his hat; after a swift inventory of the room he announced:
"The Inspector sent me to see you."
"What Inspector?"
"Snell."
"Yes?" Lilas's voice was badly controlled, for there was something disturbing about this man's behavior.
"Your orders is to leave town. Be out and away at eight o'clock; that's four hours. Understand?"
"You must be crazy," Lilas cried, with a show of spirit. "What have I done? Who do you think I am? Inspector Snell, eh? I don't know him, and he doesn't know me."
"I guess he knows you, all right. Eight bells, sister. I'll be back then."
"But—what for? I haven't done anything." Incensed at the fellow's total indifference, she ran on, fiercely: "I won't go. I'm no crook. You can't hustle me out like this. I'll fight. I've got friends and I've got money, and I'm going to stay right here. You haven't anything on me, for I haven't done anything. I'm behaving myself, and I'm clean. You can tell Inspector Snell so for me."
The policeman silently drew from his pocket an envelope, which he handed to her.