“For God’s sake take me with you,” burst out Cleves.
“In God’s name stay where you are till you hear me call your name!” she said almost breathlessly.
Then, suddenly she turned, swiftly retracing her steps; and they saw her pass through the first door and disappear into the first house they had entered.
A terrible silence fell among them. The sound of her steps on the bare boards had died away. There was not a sound in the chilly dusk.
Minute after minute dragged by. One by one the men peered fearfully at Cleves. His visage was ghastly and they could see his pistol-hand trembling.
Twice Recklow looked at his wrist watch. The third time he said, unsteadily: “She has been gone three-quarters of an hour.”
Then, far away, they heard a heavy tread on the stairs. Nearer and nearer came the footsteps. Every pistol was levelled at the first door as a man’s bulky form darkened it.
“It’s one of my men,” said Recklow in a voice like a low groan. “Where on earth is Mrs. Cleves?”
“I came to tell you,” said the agent, “Mrs. Cleves came out of the first house nearly an hour ago. She got into the coupé and told the driver to go to the Ritz.”
“What!” gasped Recklow.