Instantly there came sounds of movement from within. The crouching figures were hastily stuffing all that pile back into the sack and at the same time eagerly looking for an avenue of escape.
Florence caught the gleam of a star on the newcomer’s coat.
“Oh, please!” she pleaded. “We have taken nothing, meant no harm. The storm—
“But please, officer,” her tone changed, “that pair within have been doing something, perhaps robbing. They have a precious cameo that belongs to a dear old lady. Please don’t let them escape.”
In answer to this breathless appeal the officer made no reply. Instead he strode to the window, looked within, then rapped smartly on the sash with his club. At the same time he pointed to his star.
The strange intruders could not fail to understand. They shouldered their sack and came forth meekly enough.
“You come with me, all of you!” the officer commanded. “Let’s get this thing straight.
“Now then,” he commanded, after they had crossed the enclosure in silence and he had lighted a large lamp in a small office-like room, “dump that stuff on the floor.”
“I want to tell ye,” the hunchback grumbled, “that we hain’t no thieves, me an’ this boy. We hain’t. We—”
“Dump it out!” The officer’s tone was stern.