"You came here to meet him. It is useless to try to deceive me. We tracked you to this house, and, what is more, the man himself was seen to enter just before you did. We only waited long enough to surround the grounds so that there would be no chance to escape. Now that you see how useless it is for him to hide, you may as well tell us where he is, and save time!"
"I know nothing of the man for whom you are seeking. I came here merely to look over the property, with a view to buying it."
"What, buy this old rookery! That's a likely yarn."
"I should not buy it for the house, but for the beautiful grounds."
"Well, I can't stop to argue with you. If you won't help us, we'll get along without you. He is in the house. I know that much."
"Sarjent! Sarjent! Git outer this! The house is on fire!" This announcement, made in breathless tones by another man who had run in, caused a commotion, and, coming so unexpectedly, entirely unnerved the woman, who hysterically cried out:
"He is in there! Open that door! Save him! Save him!"
Dr. Medjora smothered an ejaculation of anger, as in response to the information thus received, the police began hammering upon the door. Old as it was, it was of heavy oak and quite thick. The lock, too, was a good one and gave no signs of yielding.
"Where is the fire?" exclaimed the sergeant.
"In the front room," answered the other man.