“Now was our time. I felt a nudge from Waterford and turned the gas full on, while he quietly closed the door and turned the key.
“I felt quite sorry for the poor scared beggar as he knelt there and turned his white face to the light, unable to move or speak or do anything. You’ll have guessed who it was.
“‘So, Mr Durfy,’ said Waterford, leaning up against the door and folding his arms, ‘it’s you, is it?’
“The culprit glared at him and then at me, and rose to his feet with a forced laugh.
“‘It looks like it,’ he said.
“‘So it does,’ said Waterford, taking the key out of the door and putting it in his pocket; ‘very like it. And it looks very much as if he would have to make himself comfortable here till Mr Granville comes!’
“‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed the fellow. ‘I’ve as much right to be here as you have, for the matter of that, at this hour.’
“‘Very well, then,’ said Waterford, as cool as a cucumber, ‘we’ll all three stay here. Eh, Cruden?’
“‘I’m game,’ said I.
“He evidently didn’t like the turn things were taking, and changed his tack.