“Walk in, madam,” he said.
But she stood still, with her keen eyes reading every lineament of his face. She was not satisfied with its expression.
“Walk in,” repeated the officer.
“No, I thank you. Please say to Mrs. Weir that Mrs. Fordham would like to see her at the door for a moment.”
“Mrs. Weir is engaged,” was the officer’s reply.
“Has her daughter returned?” queried Mrs. Fordham.
“Yes.”
“Ask her to step here.”
By this time Mrs. Fordham had retreated a little, and the officer, seeing that she was about descending the steps, moved suddenly forward, and, throwing one arm around her waist, drew her with a sudden jerk into the passage and shut the door. The movement was so quick, and so unexpected, that the woman was taken entirely off of her guard.
“You are arrested for child-stealing!” said the officer, ere she had recovered from her surprise.